The farms are located mostly in southern Philippines, specifically in the clear waters of Jolo, Tawi Tawi, Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. This record production went to the local processing of export bound processed carrageenan. The product has one of the highest value added ratings among Philippine agricultural products. In 1990, carrageenan export earned 185.14 percent in value added against the dried raw seaweed export. In less than a quarter of a century since the country's first export of dried seaweeds to France, the Philippines has developed an internationally known technology to commercially farm the eucheuma and refine it into world class carrageenan.
Target markets are both domestic and international.
The profitability of eucheuma farming and carrageenan processing are solid measures of a product's significant contribution to the national wealth. It means taxes, employment, and investments. Today, seaweed production and processing have become a high value and profitable livelihood activity in many marginal seafarming communities as well as profitable enterprises in urban centers of the country. Prices of dried raw seaweeds in major buying centers of processing plants are among the highest levels in the agri-aqua sector. The centers are located in Cebu City, Zamboanga City and Puerto Princesa, Palawan.