"Algae must become a recognized French asset and a source of innovative solutions," said Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Seas, and Fisheries.
Image: DGAMPA.
In a significant move to strengthen France’s position as a leader in algae production, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Seas, and Fisheries, has unveiled a new roadmap for the development of the country’s seaweed and algae sector, calling it "an important step in the expansion of our algae industries".
The announcement, made yesterday in Paris during the 2025 edition of the International Agricultural Show, follows extensive consultations with industry stakeholders.
France is currently the largest producer of algae in the European Union, and the roadmap aims to provide a clear vision for continued growth of the French seaweed industry while addressing increasing demand in a sustainable manner.
The plan, Feuille de route nationale pour le développement des filières algales françaises, covers all types of algae - macroalgae, microalgae, and cyanobacteria - whether they are cultivated, harvested, or collected, across both mainland France and its overseas territories, in both marine and freshwater environments.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, pictured at at meeting of the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg, October 2024.
Photo: SIERAKOWSKI FREDERIC / European Union.
The consultation process identified several key challenges that have hindered the sector’s expansion, including a lack of industry structure, outdated or inadequate regulations, complex market dynamics, and insufficient technical and economic data.
In response, seaweed industry players have outlined several priorities, such as improving governance, supporting new installations and training programs, simplifying regulations, enhancing research and innovation, securing genetic resources, and promoting the sector both nationally and internationally.
Based on these insights, the roadmap establishes five strategic directions, aiming to improve governance and regulatory frameworks, enhance the resilience and competitiveness of businesses, bridge knowledge gaps by advancing research and innovation, raise public awareness and acceptance of algae-based products, and promote French expertise on the international stage.
The government will now focus on translating these goals into concrete actions through dedicated working groups, the Minister said.
"I am delighted with the publication of this roadmap: it marks an important step in the expansion of our algae industries. It is fully in line with the Year of the Ocean and our ambition for renewed global food sovereignty, particularly with the upcoming UNOC conference in June in Nice," Pannier-Runacher said in a government news announcement.
"I hope that all stakeholders will now seize this opportunity to develop a sector that will help address many challenges - food, industrial, environmental, and energy-related. Algae must become a recognized French asset and a source of innovative solutions," the Minister added.
The full roadmap document, Feuille de route nationale pour le développement des filières algales françaises, can be viewed on the French government's Fisheries and Oceans website.
