TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has been pushing for an increase in seaweed exports to alternative markets such as Brazil since they have great prospect and may be able to achieve processed food exports target of US$4.9-5 billion in 2014-2015.

"Brazil is one of Indonesia’s prospective markets in South America," said Nus Nuzulia Ishak, director general for national export development at the Trade Ministry yesterday.

Indonesia’s biggest seaweed export product markets are China (76.92 percent), the Philippines (6.69 percent), Chile (4.69 percent), South Korea (2.44 percent) and Hong Kong (1.75 percent).

Brazil is ranked 12th with growth trend of 0.42 percent while Indonesia's national export target to Brazil is expected to grow 4-5 percent or around US$41.57-1.59 billion.

The Trade Ministry yesterday facilitated seaweed product sales cooperation between two Indonesian companies, PT Brasindo Gum and PT Gumindo Perkasa Industri, and one Brazilian company, Indobras Representacai Comercial, worth US$3 million. The Brazilian company will buy seaweed derivative product which is alkali treated caragenan chip. "This is good for market diversification without neglecting the main market," said Nus.

According to PT Brasindo Gum director Hendy Thiono, the seaweed products exported to Brazil are refined products called karagenan. Karagenan is sold at US$7.5-8 per kilogram. "The raw material is seaweed, and then it is processed to become karagenan. This is what we sell," said Hendy.

PRIO HARI KRISTANTO