Bivalve supply improved

Demand for bivalve recovered in 2023, especially during summer months, when tourists in the Southern part of Europe demanded bivalves in their restaurant visits. Prices of bivalve were relatively stable, even declining, in view of the fact that supply improved in 2023, after the difficult 2022, when drought was impacting production in Europe.

Mussels

France produces some 61 219 tonnes of mussels per year for a EUR 138 million turnover. France is the second major producer of mussels in Europe, after Spain.

Prices of mussels in Italy reached EUR 4.00 per kg at the retail level in October 2023, while the normal price level is around EUR 1.50 per kg. This was mainly due to the problems experienced in the Adriatic Sea due to the presence of blue crab eating up the mussels on the ropes. In France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on the contrary, production of mussels recovered after the low production in 2022, due to the drought. In fact, in France, after the substantial increases in prices experienced during 2022, prices stabilized at the high level.

Mussel trade recovered in 2023, after the problems experienced last year. In the first six months of 2023, 20 000 more tonnes of mussels entered international trade, up to  175 000 tonnes. The Kingdom of the Netherlands reported some additional 6 000 tonnes of exported mussels, mainly going to Belgium and France, as the normalization of the drought in 2023 and higher water temperature led to improved production in this country.

Oysters

Oyster trade expanded slightly in the first half of 2023, with the Republic of Korea overtaking France as main exporting country. Some 36 000 tonnes were imported worldwide during this period, which is 900 tonnes more than in the same period of 2022. The United States of America reported lower imports after the boom experienced during last year. Japanese imports were up by 20 percent to reach 4 200 tonnes. Italian imports of oysters stayed stable.

France is the leading producer, exporter and consumer of oysters in Europe (2kg/year/inhabitant). Some 80 783 tonnes of oysters produced per year for a EUR 357 million turnover. France exports of oysters are mainly going to neighbouring countries such as Italy and Spain, but also to the United States of America. Exports of oysters by France stayed stable in the first half of 2023 at 7 000 tonnes.

Oysters are generally more consumed in winter months, with a peak at Christmas, thus prices during the summer months are not very indicative, however, some price increases in Europe were perceived.

Scallops

Scallop biomass in the United States of America overall remains low compared to the exceptionally high levels observed from 2015 through 2019, however some improvements have been seen between 2022 and 2023. This was mainly due to the stringent management measures applied in 2022 and 2023. Total catch of scallops in New England this year (the season runs from April to March) are estimated at 10 000 tonnes, which is about 19 percent less than during the 2022 season. In the April 2021 to March 2022 period some 17 300 tonnes of scallops were landed by the Atlantic fishing fleet, which is concentrated in Massachusetts.

Scallop trade went down in 2023. Some 100 000 tonnes were imported in the first half of the year, with China taking 44 percent of this amount. The United States of America and the Republic of Korea are the other top importers of scallops. All three top importers reported declining imports. France, which used to be the third major importer of scallops, reported a 30 percent reduction in imports.  China and France are the main exporting countries of scallops. Peru, reported a strong reduction in its exports, showing that the resource has again some problems, similar to the ones experienced in 2017.

Clams

Blue crab is impacting clam production by Italy, as this invasive species is eating up plenty of clams in the Adriatic Sea. Estimates put a decline in production by 50 percent for this year. The main species impacted is Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum), farmed in the Goro lagoon close to Venice. Prices of this species is reportedly sky-high at EUR 19.90 per kg, due to lower supplies. In September, the retail price of this species was EUR 14.99 per kg. Italy supplies approximately 96 percent of EU-farmed Manila clams. Following a reduction in wild seed availability, farmers started to depend on hatchery-produced seed, mainly imported from other countries. Indeed, only one hatchery is currently operating in Italy.

However, the main players at an international level are China, as main clam exporter, and Japan and the Republic of Korea as main importers. During the first half of 2023, these major players all reported some reduction in the quantities shipped. China reduced its exports by 5 percent to 57 000 tonnes. Japan also reported a 5 percent decline in its exports to 20 000 tonnes. The Republic of Korea imported 500 tonnes less clams in the first six months of the year, but stayed as the main importing country.

Outlook

Oysters are a classical Christmas dinner item, with high demand. However, it is difficult to foresee how the festivity demand will be for luxury items this year. Inflation continues to impact demand, and in view of the overall difficult economic situation, consumers might refrain from expensive dining, which would result in less demand for oysters and other speciality bivalves.