Hijiki (dried seaweed)

Various maker / importer brands · Japan, Korea, China (rocky coastlines)
Staples Seaweed Ambient Growing export

Dried black hijiki seaweed, simmered into nimono side dishes and prized for iron/mineral content. Shelf-stable export item — but uniquely constrained: food-safety authorities in the UK (FSA), Hong Kong, Canada and New Zealand have advised against eating hijiki due to elevated INORGANIC ARSENIC, limiting mainstream Western distribution to advisory-labeled Asian-grocery channels. A cautionary case among seaweed exports.

The supplierJapan/Korea/China coastal producers supply dried hijiki, packed under maker/importer brands. Producer base across origins; export via importers with B2B/English support. Note origin labeling and inorganic-arsenic compliance matter for some markets.
Why it sells abroadMineral-rich, iron- and fiber-dense dried seaweed for traditional simmered dishes — a healthy, vegan, shelf-stable specialty with strong nutrition positioning (origin/compliance documentation a buyer reassurance).

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsRadiation certificate standard for Japan-origin marine products on export. Inorganic-arsenic testing/compliance documentation is an important and well-documented requirement for hijiki in EU/UK and several Asian markets (confirmed regulatory point). Packing HACCP / FSSC 22000/ISO 22000 at export processors common. Natural/vegan. Organic: not publicly verified for a named maker - do not assert.
Pack formatsRetail 30g-100g bags; foodservice 250g-1kg; case x20/x40/case.
Shelf life~18-24 months ambient (dried).
StorageCool, dry, ambient; keep sealed.
Minimum orderTypical: importer case/pallet; FCL for volume.
Lead timeTypical: 3–5 weeks ex-origin.
CapacityTypical: moderate; Japan-origin (e.g. Mie/Kyushu) premium, China-origin higher volume.
Container loadTypical: light/bulky — 20ft volume-limited; FCL ambient.
PricingEstimate: USD 8–22/kg dried wholesale by origin/grade.
OEM / private labelOEM/private-label confirmed - hijiki is commonly importer-house-branded.
Wholesale & MOQJFC/Wismettac/Asian-grocery distributors; MOQ case to pallet
Key exporters & distributorsJFC International, Wismettac/Nishimoto
Export regulationInorganic-arsenic advisories (UK FSA, Hong Kong, Canada, NZ); food labeling; heavy-metal monitoring
Market demandNiche but steady/growing in US/FR/DE/SG/HK; vegan, health-food and traditional-Japanese channels.
How to source itJapan/Korea/China producers via importer brands; JFC, Wismettac; FOODEX; ensure origin/arsenic compliance docs.
Verified sourcesFSA/EU advisory on inorganic arsenic in hijiki (regulatory compliance point); Importer house-brand hijiki listings
MakerJapan/Korea/China coastal producers; importer brands
OriginJapan, Korea, China (rocky coastlines)
CategoryStaples / Seaweed
Available inUnited States, France, Germany +2 more
HandlingAmbient
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code1212.21
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.