REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Director General of Agro Industry of the Industry Ministry Panggah Susanto said Indonesia accounts for 85 percent of the world's seaweed production. The country, therefore, should develop its seaweed processing industry, Panggah said here on Saturday.

"Indonesia is the largest producer of sea weed contributing 85 percent to the world's total production," he said at an unofficial function .

He said currently there are 35 companies processing seaweed into gelatin and other products, but the processing industry is not supported by stable supply of the raw material. The companies, therefore operate below their capacity. 

"The reason is that most of the country's raw seaweed is exported mainly to China," he said.

Earlier, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry said the program of changing profession from catching lobster fish fries succeeded in increasing sea weed production in a number of areas.

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