The government is taking steps to integrate seaweed into the warehouse receipt system in an effort to boost prices, secure markets, and shield farmers from middlemen exploitation.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, through its Department of Aquaculture, is working with the Warehouse Receipt Regulatory Board (WRRB) to develop the framework.
The initiative is expected to be rolled out in Pangani, Mkinga, and Tanga districtsar eas that account for a significant share of the country’s seaweed production and are central to Tanzania’s blue economy agenda.
Tanga Regional Commissioner Ambassador Dr. Batilda Burian met on September 17, 2025, with WRRB Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bangu Asangye and the Ministry’s Director of Aquaculture, Dr. Nazael Madalla, to discuss preparations for the system’s introduction.
Officials say the warehouse receipt system will ensure farmers have access to structured markets, better bargaining power, and predictable incomes.
It is also seen as a tool to attract more investment into seaweed farming, which has long been undervalued despite its export potential in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries.
Dr. Burian further urged the Ministry to scale up capacity-building initiatives for Tanga’s fishing communities, including cage fish farming, as part of a broader strategy to diversify income streams and enhance livelihoods.
The seaweed sector currently faces challenges of price volatility and dependency on informal trading channels.
Policymakers believe the new system will not only strengthen value-chain governance but also align seaweed production with national economic transformation plans.