🇺🇸 United States imports of seaweeds and plant products: 2024 trade data
The United States imported $247.9 million of seaweeds and plant products in 2024 (282.8 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 3rd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 205 countries. That is 13% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of seaweeds and plant products by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $247.9M | 282.8K t |
| 2023 | $219.8M | 58.6K t |
| 2022 | $257.5M | 71.9K t |
| 2021 | $219.6M | 75.0K t |
| 2020 | $211.8M | 88.5K t |
| 2019 | $186.3M | 69.8K t |
| 2018 | $188.0M | 74.1K t |
| 2017 | $164.6M | 58.2K t |
Where the United States imports seaweeds and plant products from
The largest suppliers were China (42%), Canada (13%), South Korea (12%). Among the main suppliers, Canada grew fastest (+103% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | $105.2M | 42% |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $31.8M | 13% |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $29.1M | 12% |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | $9.3M | 3.7% |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $7.5M | 3% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $7.3M | 3% |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | $4.7M | 1.9% |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $4.7M | 1.9% |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | $4.2M | 1.7% |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $4.0M | 1.6% |
Types of seaweeds and plant products under HS 1212
| 1212.99 | Vegetable products: fit for human consumption, n.e.c. in heading no. 1212, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 51% |
| 1212.21 | Seaweeds and other algae: fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 28% |
| 1212.29 | Seaweeds and other algae: not fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 12% |
| 1212.91 | Sugar beet: fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 6.2% |
| 1212.93 | Sugar cane: fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 2.1% |
| 1212.94 | Chicory roots (Chicorium intybus sativum): fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 0.8% |
| 1212.92 | Locust beans (carob): fit for human consumption, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1212.
Average import price of seaweeds and plant products
The average declared value was about $0.88 per kg, 29% above the world average of $0.68. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
The United States also exports seaweeds and plant products
Exports of seaweeds and plant products by the United States reached $21.2 million in 2024 (17.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The largest buyer markets were Canada (17%), United Kingdom (10%), Italy (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 36%. Among the main buyer markets, Ireland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $3.7M | 17% |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $2.2M | 11% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $1.8M | 8.5% |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $1.6M | 7.6% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $1.4M | 6.8% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $1.2M | 5.7% |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $905K | 4.3% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $751K | 3.6% |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | $610K | 2.9% |
| Taiwan | $514K | 2.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1212: Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet, sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones, kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots) used primarily for human consumption, n.e.c..
Seaweeds and plant products trade in the United States: questions
What is the value of seaweeds and plant products imported by the United States?
The United States imported seaweeds and plant products worth $247.9 million in 2024 (282.8 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United States import seaweeds and plant products from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were China (42%), Canada (13%), South Korea (12%).
What is the average import price of seaweeds and plant products in the United States?
The average declared import value was about $0.88 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $0.68 per kg.
Does the United States export seaweeds and plant products?
Yes. The United States exported seaweeds and plant products worth $21.2 million in 2024, mainly to Canada, United Kingdom, Italy.
What is the HS code for seaweeds and plant products?
Seaweeds and plant products falls under HS heading 1212 (Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet, sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading seaweeds and plant products with the United States?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, where you can see the importers and exporters by name.
Seaweeds and plant products trade in other countries
More trade data for the United States
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