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Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Most Americans haven't tried seaweed, Maine study shows
Apr. 29—More than half of Americans who are less adventurous in their eating and spending habits have yet to try seaweed, a new study from Maine aquaculture researchers shows. The Maine Aquaculture Association surveyed over 2,000 people across the country to gauge the general temperature of how Americans feel about seaweed — one of Maine's major aquaculture products. And 53% said they'd never tried it before. Researchers, nutrition scientists and aquaculture companies say the results reflect general trends in American preferences. "It doesn't sound good," 36% answered. The results show a general hesitance to try new things, deterrence from what some consider exotic tastes, a lack of familiarity with the food and confusion about how to cook it. "The American palate can be pretty slow to adopt things," said Christian Brayden, the Maine Aquaculture Association's lead researcher on the study. But those already steeped in the seaweed world see room to grow within those the results. "What this leads to is processors who are doing even more innovative work," Brayden said. AMERICA'S SEAWEED INDUSTRY Maine is campaigning to become the leader in the country's aquaculture industry — particularly in the seaweed sector. The state's aquaculture industry rakes in between $85 million to $110 million annually, according to data from the Maine International Trade Center. In 2025, researchers predict the value of Maine's aquaculture exports will reach $800 million. A large part of that could be thanks to Maine seaweed. Around 60% of America's farmed edible seaweed comes from Maine, the center found. In 2022, Maine aquaculture farmers harvested over 1 million pounds of seaweed by some 40 growers — up from 45,000 pounds in 2017. And in 2023, the Maine Aquaculture Association predicted that the state's seaweed sector would expand to 4.1 million pounds by this year. But the seaweed sector faces its list of limitations, which the association explored in its study. NEW FOOD PHOBIAS There are a handful of reasons why the 53% of American consumers who said they have never tried seaweed veer away, the survey discovered. Some are deterred by the texture, some the taste. A majority simply don't like the idea of eating seaweed. And then there are those who "don't know." They've never had seaweed, they don't know how to cook it, how to eat it. Mary Ellen Camire, a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine, said those results are likely in part thanks to food neophobia — the fear of trying new foods. Camire conducted a similar study in 2017 and found similar results. "Americans tend to rely on things they're familiar with — the meat and potatoes crowd, the kids who only eat french fries and chicken nuggets," she said. "There are people who just don't want to deviate and to be more food adventurous." Brayden, the lead researcher, said that he's also linked back that fear to the current state of the American economy. "A lot of people are having a really tough time just purchasing groceries, let alone taking the risk of trying something new that they may or may not like," Brayden said. There are products, however, that might convert the unlikeliest of eaters. A SPRINKLING OF SEAWEED The study found that consumers under 45 years old are a more adventurous bunch and more likely to explore seaweed products. There was also a "notable" chunk of 45- to 54-year-old respondents who are consuming it for the health benefits. The 47% who have previously consumed seaweed products overwhelmingly did so for the health benefits. Second in line was the love of the flavor. Seaweed harvesters and processors say they will use the data as inspiration to change up their practices. That could entail different forms of marketing and public outreach: meeting shoppers where they are with free samples at the grocery store and adding ready-to-eat seaweed dishes to store shelves. And there are some snacks where seaweed is snuck in as a flavor that even the most hesitant of eaters are interested in, like seaweed teriyaki sauce, potato chips dusted with seaweed, ready-made soup with seaweed and seaweed tortillas or wraps. "Developing products that are in line with what American consumers want to eat, and getting them excited about a new food brings opportunity," said Annie Fagan, with the Maine Aquaculture Hub. "It'll be not just for Maine farmers, but for the communities that they live and work in, and for our coastal economy." Copy the Story Link
New York Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
A Planned E.U. Rule Has Coffee Growers in Ethiopia Scrambling
Farmers in Africa that produce some of the world's most prized coffee are in a scramble to comply with new European Union environmental rules that require them to document the origin of every shipment of beans. The new measure, coming into force at the end of this year, is designed to prevent deforestation driven by agricultural expansion. To comply, farmers must provide geolocation data to show that their coffee was not grown on land where forests have recently been cut down. After Dec. 31, any producers that cannot provide this documentation will lose access to the vast European market. Europe consumes more coffee than any country or bloc in the world and experts say the new rule, formally known as the E.U. Deforestation Regulation, is a potentially powerful tool to promote sustainable agriculture and prevent forest destruction. But it also represents what some are calling a 'green squeeze' that imposes heavy burdens on millions of small farmers in developing countries that have contributed the least to climate change, and tests ability of policymakers to balance the needs of people and the needs of nature. 'Of course data is very important to us, but what we are just saying is we need support,' said Dejene Dadi, head of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union. 'It's very challenging and costly and we don't have any help.' Mr. Dadi said his group, the largest coffee growers' cooperative in Ethiopia, with more than half a million members based in the central part of the country, probably could not prepare all its farms by the deadline without additional support. Trainers have traversed the Oromia region for more than a year, collecting coordinates for maps and helping farmers with new technology. As of March, they had mapped 24,000 farms. European officials will verify shipments by cross-checking current geolocation data against base line satellite images and forest cover maps. Mr. Dadi said the cost of mapping one farm was about $4.50. The cost of training is partly covered by a grant form the International Trade Center, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization that was created to help poor countries expand trade. Ethiopia is the top coffee producer in Africa, and the crop accounts for about 35 percent of the country's revenue. The Arabica variety, smooth and mild with fruity and nutty notes, originated in the country's southwestern highlands. More than a third of Ethiopia's coffee goes to Europe. According to a French government report last year, E.U. consumption is responsible for 44 percent of coffee-related deforestation worldwide. Another report, by the World Resources Institute, an environmental group, found that nearly two million hectares of forest cover had been replaced by coffee plantations between 2001 and 2025. Indonesia, Brazil and Peru recorded some of the highest deforestation rates in that period. Global leaders pledged in 2021 at a climate summit in Glasgow to end deforestation by 2030. The agreement underscored a growing awareness of the role of nature in tackling the climate crisis. Intact forests are natural storehouses of planet-warming carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere, where, as carbon dioxide, it speeds warming by trapping the sun's heat. When forests are cleared, those areas switch to releasing greenhouse gases. It also harms the forest's biodiversity by disrupting habitat. The new E.U. rule also covers cattle, cocoa, palm oil, rubber and other crops. Coffee shipments without proper mapping data can be rejected or confiscated, and the importer can be fined. But some experts say the measure is being implemented without the necessary support for farmers. Jodie Keane, an economist at ODI Global, a research organization based in London, said the European Union and major coffee chains should do more to help small farmers. 'We all want to prevent deforestation,' Ms. Keane said. 'But if you're going to apply that standard to rural producers, you're going to have to provide a lot of outreach, sensitization, you're going to have to invest in learning how to do things differently so that they don't just get dropped from the supply chain.' Etelle Higonet, founder of Coffee Watch, a monitoring group, echoed that. 'These are some of the richest companies in the world,' she said of European coffee chains. 'Of course they could afford to do this.' In an email, Johannes Dengler, a managing partner at Alois Dallmayr, one of the best-known coffee brands in Germany, acknowledged that the new rule was an 'enormous challenge' for Ethiopia. He said Dallmayr was developing systems to assure compliance and was 'working closely with our partners to find viable solutions.' The office of the European Union commissioner for trade and economic security did not respond to requests for comment. In a news release on April 15 the bloc said that, based on feedback from partner countries, it had allocated 86 million euros, or about $97 million, to support compliance efforts. Ethiopian coffee farmers take pride in their high-quality beans, a result of exceptional heirloom varieties, high altitudes and traditional farming practices. In the southwestern Jimma Highlands, farmers like Zinabu Abadura say most growers follow a longstanding unwritten rule against cutting trees. Mr. Abadura, who sells directly to informal middlemen, said his farm has not yet been mapped. Most farmers in his area live off their coffee proceeds and cannot afford disruptions or additional expenses. 'Life will be difficult,' when the new European rule comes into force, he said. But while the new E.U. standards could reorder the Ethiopian coffee sector, analysts say, they probably will not halt sales. Countries like China offer alternative, less-rigid markets. And Ethiopians themselves are big coffee drinkers. Hospitality is incomplete without a coffee ceremony, where hosts roast, grind and brew beans in front of their guests. About half of the country's yearly coffee production stays at home. But Tsegaye Anebo, who heads the Sidama Coffee Union, which represents 70,000 farmers, said pivoting to new markets would be disruptive in the short term. He noted that his region's Sidamo variety, distinctive for its fruity tones, was a favorite in wealthy Europe. And that means premium prices. Giving up on the E.U. market, he said, is not an option. 'We need the E.U.,' Mr. Anebo said. 'But they also need us because they can't find our coffee anywhere.'
Jordan News
15-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Jordan's Participation in the Magic Global Apparel Market Exhibition - Jordan News
Amman – The Jordan Chamber of Industry organized the Jordanian pavilion at the Magic Global Apparel Market exhibition in Las Vegas, USA. According to a statement from the chamber on Saturday, the exhibition is considered one of the leading global platforms specializing in the supply chains of clothing and footwear industries. اضافة اعلان The chamber's participation in the exhibition was supported by the International Trade Center, with the aim of expanding Jordan's presence in international markets, attracting new importers, and creating high-quality export opportunities to strengthen the position of Jordanian products in the global industrial scene.
