Comments on: How vegan demand for agar is killing Morocco’s red seaweed

By: Is Agar-agar Vegan? Red Seaweed Kanten

Is Agar-agar Vegan? Red Seaweed Kanten — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 15:55:28 +0000

[…] of the Moroccan beds to meet the demand and to profit, despite the government placing quotas restricting its harvest since 2010. In addition to the rising demand, the price of agar-agar has […]

By: What does morocco produce - In The Know Morocco

What does morocco produce - In The Know Morocco — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 07:10:56 +0000

[…] Image credit Green Prophet […]

By: Ieata Dhiechk

Ieata Dhiechk — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:53:20 +0000

It’s absolutely disgusting that people feel the need to attack vegans while dismissing their own (much more damaging) guilt.

Clearly those of you doing this are ignorant in the statistics and research departments, otherwise you’d be able to tell immediately that it’s not possible for veganism and vegetarianism to be the main culprit here.

Please cite references and verifiable data pointing to exactly where the product is going, otherwise by numbers alone, it’s not the veg*ns

By: Soerianto K

Soerianto K — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 04:12:05 +0000

Gracilaria has been the major source of raw material for the agar industry nowsaday. The largest producer of Gracilaria today is Indonesia and the growing of Gracilaria spp. with milkfish has provided many better live for low income families in the coastal areas. Gracilaria farming will continue to be farmed in the eastern part of Indonesia to meet the demand of this important raw material for the agar industry worldwide.

By: Linda Pappagallo

Linda Pappagallo — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:29:34 +0000

In reply to Ellen.

Ellen thank you,
I wholly agree with the points you raise about the meat and dairy industry, and excessive consumption of this. I can assure you the article does not ignore the fact that the meat and dairy industry are hurting the poor. The article is simply pointing out that extreme, fanatic, exotic, capricious veganism (like for any sort of “religion”) also damages systems, in ways in which people may not ever realize.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:28:15 +0000

Interesting points raised here, but smack at veganism tone of the article utterly ignores the fact that the meat and dairy industry are hurting the poor much, much more, by wasting limited grain resources on animal feed, not to mention a slew of other ecosystem imbalances caused by excessive animal consumption. That’s without getting into critical issues of compassion. Not all vegans thrive on quinoa or agar — but it’s certainly worth drawing attention to any damage being done any ecosystems in the process of harvesting any sort of food for any consumers anywhere.

By: Linda Pappagallo

Linda Pappagallo — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:50:25 +0000

In reply to Sheir.

Thanks for your comment Sheir.
The main property of Agar agar is its use as a gelling agent which is why, as you point out, it is used in multiple industries. The article “points the finger” at vegans as being part of the demand that is fuelling unsustainable use of this resource. The FAO blurb you posted says nothing about sustainability, and instead is saying “it is possible to meet demand by growing more Gracilaria” (and by the way the “latest” FAO report is dated 2003)- sustainability means undergoing an activity which can be endured through time i.e. without harming the environment, society, a culture etc… irreversibly or in such a way that it affects future generations. My point is not about meeting demand, or the economics of the gracilaria market, but about unsustainable practices that can be easily avoided by limiting fanaticism and exoticism (especially in todays globalized, ever-expanding world). All the best
linda

By: Dian (Dina) Grossman Kjærgaard

Dian (Dina) Grossman Kjærgaard — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 15:07:57 +0000

Excellent points, Sheir. But this doesn’t absolve us lovers of “exotic” foods from backing up sustainability – including local production wherever possible and substitution.

By: Sheir

Sheir — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 01:25:18 +0000

You are wrong to point the fingers at vegans. As you point out, this seaweed is used by the meat and dairy industries. It is also used in the paper, science and fabric industries.
Here is what the latest Food and Agricultural organization report states:
“Sales depend on the prosperity of the agar industry, and since it has a stable market with limited prospects of expansion, agarophytes in general are in a similar position. However, the market for Gelidium and Pterocladia will always be competitive because they provide the best quality agar and are only available from limited natural resources. Since the cultivation of Gracilaria has been so successful, this means that any expansion that does occur in the agar market can be readily serviced by growing more Gracilaria. At present the producers and collectors of Gracilaria are therefore likely to face a buyers market, bringing pressure to reduce prices.” If you have data that shows the demand for agar cannot be met sustainably, please cite your sources. Thank you.