Top Brown Seaweeds Fishing Countries

Brown seaweeds, primarily from the Phaeophyceae class, are not fish but marine algae highly valued for their uses in food, agriculture, and industry—particularly for alginate extraction. The top countries harvesting brown seaweeds are China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan, which together account for the vast majority of global production. China leads by a significant margin, cultivating species like kelp (Saccharina japonica) in vast coastal farms. Indonesia is a major producer of other brown seaweeds, such as Sargassum, while South Korea and Japan focus on both wild and farmed kelp varieties. The brown seaweed industry is crucial for these countries, supporting coastal economies and providing raw materials for food products (like kombu), fertilizers, animal feed, and various industrial applications.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.