Guangxi's Carrageenan has Promising Export Prospects

Guangxi exported 266.8 tons of carrageenan from January to April, an increase of 641 percent compared to the annual amount last year, according to Fangchenggang's inspection and quarantine bureau.

Carrageenan has high product value. As a natural food additive extracted from seaweed, carrageenan has been deemed nontoxic by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Carrageenan is widely used in soft sweets, jellies, ice creams and meat products for its low heat and abundant dietary fiber. It keeps a high export price and large international demand because of its wide use.

Carrageenan's export market is continuously extending. On the basis of consolidating Korean and Canadian markets, carrageenan export enterprises in Guangxi opened up six new markets this year, including some in Russia, Denmark, Spain and Malaysia.

Fangchenggang is Guangxi's only source of carrageenan exports. Since the first batch of carrageenan was exported in August 2014, Guangxi has maintained rapid growth in exporting the food additive. Annual exports are expected to reach 1,000 tons according to the present situation.