Bivalve production worldwide seems to be lower this year than during 2017. Algae blooms and the presence of viruses will be impacting the overall performance. Demand continues high and it already lead to substantial increases in prices, a trend that likely will continue in coming months.

Mussels

In Spain, several cooked mussel products had to be removed from supermarket shells, due to the presence of norovirus. These mussels originated in Galicia, the main production region. Chilean mussel production is expected to drop by about 10 percent in 2018, after reaching the record high of about 330 000 tonnes in 2017. An algae bloom also hit Chile in early 2018, but the expected decline in production is not linked to this problem.

Due to these reductions in the main mussel production areas, prices have increased recently. Consumers have not reacted to the various health alarms, probably trusting the competent authorities to carry out tests and stop production when health scares are likely to happen. Summer in Europe is one of the main mussel consumption periods and prices have reached EUR 4.00 per kg, about 5 percent above the price last year.

World imports in the first quarter of 2018 declined by 6 percent compared with the same period last year, due to lower demand from Italy. France, the main mussel importing country, reported stable imports during this period, though it is not a main consumption period in the year. Imports of mussels into the EU28 fell to 47 000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year, 12 percent less than during the same period in 2017. Spain and the Netherlands were the main supplying countries to the EU28, representing half of the total EU28 mussel trade. Chile recorded a substantial decline in its exports to the EU28 in the first three months of the year.

Oysters

France is the main oyster producer in Europe and also the main exporter of this delicacy. All coastal areas of France produce oysters, but the main production centres are Cancale, Marenness-Oleron and Arcachon. Two types of oysters are presently produced in France, the Pacific oyster and the European oyster. The European oyster has suffered from overexploitation and currently represents only 10 percent of the total French oyster production. Summer is not the main period of oyster consumption, as this bivalve is generally consumed alive, and the high summer temperatures create some concern for this type of food habit.

World trade of oysters is rather limited, at about 80 000 tonnes per year. The first three months of the year reported a 13 percent decline in international oyster trade, due to lower imports in France and Italy.

Clams

Italy is one of the main clam consuming countries, both in live and in processed form. In recent years, Italian imports of frozen clam meat from Asia have increased significantly, especially from Viet Nam. Live clams are also imported from Tunisia at record prices. Locally produced clams in Italy vary from captured striped venus clam (Venus gallina) to cultured Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum), the latter demanding a premium price over the former. This year, retail price of Venus gallina clams has reached EUR 9.00 per kg, which is EUR 1.00 higher than last year’s price.

China is the world’s main exporter, mainly supplying the Asian market, while Spain is selling to France and Italy. Trade was stable in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the same period of last year.

Scallops

Scallops trade will be impacted by the Chinese decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on seafood from the United States of America. Fresh and frozen oysters are also on the list of products to which this punitive tariff will apply. Scallop trade was relatively slow in the opening months of the year, with a 27 percent decrease in Chinese imports of scallops. Canadian scallop producers and exporters might benefit from the higher costs of US scallops in the Chinese market, similarly to what is expected for Canadian lobster, albeit a far more important trade commodity. EU28 imports of scallops in the first quarter of 2018 fell to 7 000 tonnes, 15 percent less than during the same period in 2017.

Outlook

Demand for mussel continues strong and production is down in the main production countries, due to health concerns and declining stocking. New Zealand mussel production has been impacted by a red tide alert in the second quarter of 2018. No impact on prices was felt so far though, both in the domestic and international trade. New Zealand products are exported mainly as half shell, in frozen form. Prices have already gone up 5 percent and are likely to show a further tendency to grow during the summer months. From September onward, demand for mussels is expected to decline, leading to some stabilization in the markets. Oyster production is expected to be stable, especially in France, which combined with good demand towards the end of the year, should result in some price increase.

Demand for clams is strong and prices are sky-high. Further increases in price levels are likely during the third quarter of 2018. Scallop trade will be impacted by Chinese tariffs on US seafood and some shift and readjustments in the market are likely to materialize in coming months. Although it is difficult to forecast prices, it is likely that they will go up.