Thesis, Undergraduate (BS Economics) -- University of the Philippines, Mindanao

The study was conducted to determine and analyze the growth pattern of the export demand for Philippine seaweeds with an emphasis in analyzing the economic factors affecting the export demand. The study also aimed to determine the major markets of the Philippine seaweed industry and to explore the problems faced by the industry in the international market. Export demand model was estimated for the major Philippine seaweeds importers using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) method. The model was based on the theory of Law of Demand and the concepts on demand elasticities. The study found that the major countries importing Philippine seaweeds were US, UK, France and Denmark. Seaweed imports of these countries responded to changes in their income. An increased in income led to an increased in export demand. The increase in seaweed export price did not accompany a decrease in quantity imported. It implies the importance of seaweed product in the market. Buyers would still buy seaweeds even at higher prices because the product is very essential as a raw material. The study also found that the Philippine seaweed industry had faced some problems in the international market such as stiff competition from other Asian seaweed-exporting countries, high price, irregular and illegal practice of seaweed farmers, increased number of seaweed establishments in the seaweed competing countries, and purity issues of the Philippine seaweeds.