U.S. imports of agar-agar (HS 130231) totaled $3.1M in April 2026, traded with 16 countries.
Extracted from red algae (primarily Gelidium and Gracilaria species), agar-agar is a heat-stable gelling agent essential to microbiological culture media, food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical capsule production — a profile that distinguishes it from most other hydrocolloids. Spain and Morocco lead US supply, reflecting Atlantic and Mediterranean seaweed harvesting and processing capacity, with China and South Korea also significant sources. FDA recognizes agar as GRAS for food applications, and importers supplying laboratory or pharmaceutical-grade agar should verify that product specifications — gel strength, moisture, and ash content — meet applicable pharmacopeial or microbiological standards. All imports enter under the single line 1302310000.
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Both grades classify under 1302310000 — the HTS does not distinguish by purity grade. However, bacteriological or pharmaceutical-grade agar destined for laboratory or drug manufacturing use may require additional supplier documentation, such as certificates of analysis confirming compliance with USP, EP, or ISO standards. Buyers in the life sciences sector typically specify the required grade in purchase contracts, and importers should ensure supplier documentation supports the declared end use.
Wild Gelidium seaweed — the preferred species for high-gel-strength agar — is subject to harvest quotas in Spain, Morocco, and other key producing countries due to concerns about overharvesting. Supply tightness can occur when quotas are reduced, making supplier diversification and advance contracting important risk management tools. Importers sourcing from China or other Gracilaria-based producers should note that Gracilaria agar typically has lower gel strength than Gelidium agar, which may affect suitability for microbiological applications.
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Imports
$3.1M
from 16 countries · YTD: $9.2M
Exports
$367K
Deficit of $2.8M (net importer)
Trade balance: deficit of $2.8M (net importer)
YTD: $9.2M imported (April 2026)
59 shipments/month
Monthly import values over time
VEGETABLE SAPS AND EXTRACTS, NESOI
HS 130219
PECTIC SUBSTANCES, PECTINATES AND PECTATES
HS 130220
MUCILAGES/THICKNRS FRM LOCUST BEAN/SEED, GUAR SEED
HS 130232
MUCILAGE & THICKNER W/N MODIFIED,FRM VEG PRD NESOI
HS 130239
GUM ARABIC
HS 130120
NATURAL GUMS, GUM RESINS, RESINS AND BALSAMS NESOI
HS 130190
Top U.S. entry points for this product, ranked by latest-month import value.