Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (powder/sheets)
Industry PositionFood additive / hydrocolloid ingredient
Market
Agar (INS 406) in India is a hydrocolloid ingredient used as a gelling agent/thickener and supplied through both domestic coastal processing and imports. UN Comtrade data via the World Bank WITS platform shows India imported agar-agar (HS 130231) worth $10.55 million (664,314 kg) in 2024—mainly from China, Indonesia and Spain—while exporting $3.72 million (222,976 kg), making India a net importer. Domestic agar manufacture has been demonstrated at ICAR-CMFRI’s Mandapam Regional Centre using Gracilaria spp., and CMFRI has promoted cottage/small-scale agar units in Tamil Nadu. Imports are cleared through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with Customs ICEGATE, with document scrutiny, inspection and risk-based sampling/testing under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic processing and some exports
Domestic RoleHydrocolloid ingredient for food manufacturing; limited domestic agar production capacity demonstrated in Tamil Nadu (Mandapam/Madurai belt) alongside reliance on imports for supply.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Gel strength is a key quality parameter; CMFRI’s Mandapam agar-plant report (Gracilaria edulis) described 1.5% agar gel strength in the range 74–122 g/cm².
- CMFRI’s Mandapam agar-plant report described 1.5% agar gelling temperature around 44–46°C and melting temperature around 95–97°C for produced agar sheets.
Compositional Metrics- Sulphate content is highlighted by CMFRI as a factor affecting the quality of Gracilaria-derived agar.
Grades- Food-grade agar is referenced by CMFRI in the context of Gracilaria-derived agar; higher-grade agar is associated with Gelidium/Gelidiella sources.
Packaging- Agar produced as sheets and marketed packed in polythene bags is described in the ICAR-CMFRI Mandapam agar production report.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic route (illustrative, ICAR-CMFRI Mandapam demonstration): dried seaweed washing → acid treatment → cooking/extraction → gel setting → freezing/thawing → bleaching → sun-drying → sheet packing.
- Import route (India): overseas supplier → sea freight to Indian port → Customs filing and FSSAI FICS processing → document scrutiny/visual inspection → risk-based sampling/testing (as applicable) → FSSAI NOC/NCR outcome → importer/distributor supply to manufacturers.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport consignments can be delayed or rejected in India if they fail FSSAI import clearance (document scrutiny, visual inspection, and selective sampling/testing via FICS integrated with Customs ICEGATE) under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017.Confirm the importer holds a valid FSSAI import license and DGFT IEC, align product documentation with the Bill of Entry/packing list, and pre-check compliance with applicable Indian food standards and labelling requirements before shipment.
Supply Chain MediumIndia’s agar-agar supply is import-dependent at the margin; in 2024, imports ($10.55M) exceeded exports ($3.72M), with China and Indonesia among the largest suppliers—creating exposure to external supply shocks and origin-specific disruptions.Diversify approved origins/suppliers and maintain buffer inventory for manufacturing-critical applications.
Sustainability MediumICAR-CMFRI notes depletion of natural seaweed stocks and the need to cultivate commercially important agarophytes; constraints on sustainable raw seaweed availability can limit domestic agar output and create variability in sourcing.Prefer suppliers with documented cultivation-based sourcing and basic environmental management practices for seaweed harvesting/aquaculture.
Quality Variability MediumCMFRI highlights quality differences by raw material: Gelidium/Gelidiella-derived agar is considered higher grade, while Gracilaria-derived agar quality can be affected by sulphate content—potentially impacting gel performance for industrial users in India.Contract on functional specs (e.g., gel strength and compositional limits) and qualify suppliers with incoming QC and application testing.
Sustainability- Pressure on natural seaweed stocks and the stated need for cultivation of commercially important agarophytes (e.g., Gracilaria edulis) to meet demand (ICAR-CMFRI).
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used to track agar-agar trade flows for India?UN Comtrade trade statistics for agar-agar commonly use HS 130231, as shown in the World Bank WITS import/export tables for India.
What is the core clearance pathway for importing agar-agar into India?Imports are processed under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with Customs ICEGATE, involving document scrutiny and, where selected by risk profiling, inspection/sampling/testing; compliant consignments receive an FSSAI No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Which countries supplied most of India’s agar-agar imports in 2024?In 2024, India’s largest recorded suppliers of agar-agar (HS 130231) by import value were China, Indonesia and Spain, according to UN Comtrade data shown on the World Bank WITS platform.