Kappaphycus alvarezii Farming in Brazil: A Brief Summary and Current Trends

Since our last review in 2017, the main progress related to Kappaphycus alvarezii farming in Brazil came from southern Brazil. The region is a hot spot in marine aquaculture because of its tradition in mollusk farming. In 2020, after 12 years of studies and negotiation with the Brazilian government, the State of Santa Catarina had permission to cultivate the species commercially. However, only in 2021 local producers got the license and has started the commercial production. On the southeast coast, some marine farms were established in Rio de Janeiro, but according to the last report of the Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries (SAP) from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply, there was no production until 2020. Nevertheless, the possibility of expanding the marine farms for K. alvarezii is higher since the SAP debureaucratized the system to apply for marine area grants. Sao Paulo State is still struggling to establish the areas because most of its coastline is protected. Biostimulants seem to be a new product of K. alvarezii production in Brazil. This market has a vast national demand thanks to the importance of agribusiness in the country. The price paid for seaweed is higher than that paid for the carrageenan industry. Moreover, producers can process their seaweeds and directly deliver liquid biostimulant to the industry without depending on the international market. Since the activity is starting fresh, there are many possibilities, and depending on where the species is cultivated in Brazil, the final product can be different.