Leveraging the Blue Economy by Evaluating the Export Potential of Seaweed in Bangladesh

Purpose: This study aims to find out the export potential of seaweed in Bangladesh, focusing on its role in the blue economy as well as the challenges and opportunities. Global demand for seaweed is growing due to its application in food, cosmetics, biofuels and medicines. Bangladesh has strong potential because of its low labour costs and favourable farming conditions.

Design/methodology/approach: The study used qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and case studies with 30 participants including seaweed farmers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and NGOs from the country’s south-western coastal regions. The study used thematic analysis to find key challenges and opportunities in the seaweed industry. It also used secondary data from government publications, academic research and industry sources to support the findings. 

Findings: The study found that Bangladesh’s seaweed industry has potential for export markets, especially in countries like China, Japan and the United States. However, challenges such as inconsistent production, poor infrastructure, lack of technical knowledge and environmental vulnerabilities limit its growth. 

Research limitations/implications: The study is limited because it focuses on a few coastal areas and has a small sample size, which may not represent the entire seaweed industry in Bangladesh. Future research should address these limitations by including other regions and using a mixed-method approaches. 

Originality/value: This study provides insights into Bangladesh’s seaweed industry and its potential to contribute to the global market and the blue economy. By overcoming barriers, the industry could improve the economy as well as reduce poverty in coastal areas and support the environment. 

• Supervision