Zanzibar’s position as the world’s 3rd largest producer of seaweed is under threat. Climate change is warming the waters around the island and that has caused a decline in the volume of Zanzibar’s key export earner.
The Island’s farmers have also been hit by a second blow as global prices for the commodity decline.
Seaweed is a key ingredient in food, cosmetics and medicines in Asia, Europe and North America.
It is one of the Zanzibar’s key export, though the vital industry is now struggling as crop yields decline. Cheaper production and transport costs in Asia are challenging Zanzibar’s seaweed trade.
Over 23,000 farmers grow and harvest the seaweed. But tens of thousands more depend indirectly on this industry. Farmers say that reduction in demand from abroad has made it difficult to turning a profit.
The plants are also under threat from disease as well as poor weather, which have both caused production levels to drop in Zanzibar.
Despite these problems, for the farmers who rely on seaweed for their livelihood, there is little choice but to continue with their struggle.
