Hortimare News

As part of this year’s Seagriculture 2025 event, Hortimare surveyed industry professionals to better understand current trends, opportunities, and challenges in the European farmed seaweed sector. From producers to processors, researchers to innovators, voices from across the value chain shared their vision of the actual market, and where it is heading.

Haik van Exel will be stepping down from his position as managing director at Hortimare. Over the past years, Haik has played a key role in the development of Hortimare and the further advancement of the sector with great dedication and commitment.

As we get ready for a potential steep increase in Asparagopsis demand, our team is focused on expanding our seedbanks and optimizing cultivation techniques. In partnership with Greener Grazing and more recently, Seaweedland, we aim to use this red seaweed as a feed additive to reduce methane emissions from livestock.

Hortimare recently visited Galway University to kick off an exciting project called COMBO. This project offers valuable insights and explores various molecular techniques to enhance seaweed and sponge cultivation. It is led by Prof. Olivier Thomas, from the University of Galway.

While cultivation technology has been progressing, it’s confronting to see many farmers still struggling to sell their harvest in Europe. Interestingly, a professional processing industry is already established in Chile, supplied by wild harvesting (96%). We work with IPMAPY in the project Huiro Regenerativo to train local farmers and prove that seaweed farming can be a sustainable business case in the Los Lagos region.

Do you ever wonder how many pairs of eyes have checked our seaweed seedlings before they make their way to the seaweed farmers? With kelp delivery season in full swing, it’s a good time shed light on those light-brown containers we send out each year.