Analysis of the Current Situation and Countermeasures for the Development of Shandong Rongcheng Kelp Industry Cluster

Abstract

Rongcheng is a natural kelp production base due to its unique geographical environment and climatic advantages. Since the 1930s, the Rongcheng kelp industry has played an important role in the development of the Chinese kelp industry. Rongcheng's kelp output ranked first in China for more than ten years, from 2010 to 2021. Its kelp production accounts for nearly half of total Chinese kelp production. This paper analyzes the current development of the Rongcheng kelp industry cluster from six perspectives: natural environment and resources of kelp farming, supporting infrastructure of kelp farming and processing enterprises, main bodies in Rongcheng kelp industry cluster, relevant assistance of Rongcheng municipal government to kelp industry, development of relevant supporting industries in kelp industry. Then it concludes that there are four problems in the current development stage of Rongcheng kelp industry cluster and the development of Rongcheng kelp industry cluster's domestic and foreign markets. It then concludes that there are four issues in the current development stage of the Rongcheng kelp industry cluster. Based on the analysis of the problems and countermeasures, it is concluded that the current development stage of the Rongcheng kelp industry cluster has four problems: low cluster efficiency, an imperfect market system, a lack of technological innovation, and a weak influence of regional brands. It assists the Rongcheng kelp industry cluster in achieving high-quality development based on an analysis of the problems and countermeasures.