2

Bivalves: Global production

and trade trends
S. Pawiro

The international trade in bivalves (shellfish) is very much regionalized. Few

countries are able to penetrate distant markets outside their regions, mainly due
to technical barriers such as strict regulations on imports of bivalve products in
major markets. As a result, the contribution of bivalves to the total global trade
in fish and fishery products was only around 2.3% of the total world export of
fisheries products at approximately US$ 78.9 billion in 2005.

2.1 PRODUCTION TRENDS

The world production of bivalves i.e. oysters, clams (including cockles and
arkshell), scallops and mussels, has been steadily increasing since the 1990s to
reach a new record of 13.6 million metric tonnes (mt) in 2005. During the period

# 2010 World Health Organization (WHO). Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters.
Edited by G. Rees, K. Pond, D. Kay, J. Bartram and J. Santo Domingo. ISBN: 9781843392255.
Published by IWA Publishing, London, UK.
12 Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters

between 1995 and 2005, the average growth in bivalve production was
approximately 5% per year. The growth was mainly attributed to two factors: the
rapid growth in the aquaculture sector and a sharp increase in bivalve production
in China.
Global bivalve production from aquaculture has consistently increased over
the years from 7.1 million mt in 1995 to 11.9 million mt in 2005, an average
increase of 6.8% annually during the period. Aquacultures contribution of
bivalves to the overall bivalve production increased from 72.8% in 1993 to
87.3% in 2005. Meanwhile, the production from wild harvest has exhibited a
downward trend and in fact its contribution declined from 21.5% to 12.7%
during the period under review (Table 2.1).

Table 2.1 Global bivalve production by sector, 1995–2005 (in 1000 mt)
Year Sector Total
Aquaculture Wild
1995 7077.1 1936.7 9013.7
1996 7188.6 1845.6 9034.2
1997 7406.0 1771.5 9177.4
1998 8013.7 1790.7 9804.5
1999 8878.9 1831.1 10 709.9
2000 9156.3 1985.0 11 141.2
2001 9920.0 2000.9 11 920.7
2002 10 419.5 2018.0 12 437.5
2003 11 217.1 2086.2 13 303.3
2004 11 650.4 1964.5 13 614.9
2005 11 861.9 1726.3 13 588.2
Source: Globefish-FAO

China became the single largest producer of bivalves with a production of

9.5 million mt in 2005, contributing almost 70% of the global harvest in that
year. Japan was the second largest producer, far behind China with a production
of approximately 795 000 mt (5.8%), followed by the United States of America
(5.2%), South Korea (2.8%) and Thailand (2.8%). Other main bivalve producing
countries are Canada, Chile, France, Italy and Spain. The bulk (^71%) of global
bivalves production consists of oysters (35%) and clams (36%, including
cockles and arkshell) followed by scallops (14.6%) and mussels (14.4%)
(Table 2.2).
 Bivalves: Global production and trade trends 13

Table 2.2 World production of bivalves, by species, 1995–2005 (in 1000 mt)
Year Oyster Clams, Scallops, Mussels Total
cockles, pectens
arkshells
1995 3243.1 3223.8 1690.8 1353.0 9013.7
1996 3223.8 2700.4 1811.3 1298.8 9034.3
1997 3664.8 2755.5 1802.0 1355.1 9577.4
1998 3699.9 3100.0 1429.0 1575.5 9804.4
1999 3878.6 3601.9 1564.2 1665.2 10 709.9
2000 4247.0 3431.8 1815.2 1647.2 11 141.2
2001 4403.8 3933.8 1921.9 1661.3 11 920.8
2002 4504.1 4256.5 1968.1 1708.8 12 437.5
2003 4669.2 4712.4 2023.0 1898.7 13 303.3
2004 4757.2 4944.8 1953.7 1958.7 13 614.9
2005 4781.5 4881.6 1986.2 1939.0 13 588.2
Source: Globefish-FAO

2.2 TRADE
World exports of bivalves (all product forms) reached US$ 1.82 billion in 2005,
from US$ 1.41 billion in 2002, representing an increase of 29.1% during that
period. In the global market more than 90% of bivalves are traded in live, fresh,
frozen and dried forms, and less than 10% as canned or preserved products.
In terms of quantity, mussels dominate the global bivalve trade, accounting
for approximately 57%. In terms of value, however, scallops contributed more
than 45% to the total bivalve export market in 2005. Over the past 10 years, the
growth in bivalve trade was mainly comprised of the growth in exports of fresh,
chilled and frozen bivalves, particularly mussels, which are widely traded in
international markets (Table 2.3).
The bivalve trade, as mentioned earlier, is concentrated in certain regions.
The main markets for clams, cockles and arkshells are Japan and the Republic of
Korea with supplies mainly from China and the Korean Peninsular. Another
important market for clams is the USA with Canada as the main supplier while
Spain, the most important market for clams in Europe, is supplied mainly by
other European Union (EU) Member States.

2.2.1 Asia
There is an active trade in clams and cockles among south-east Asian countries
particularly between Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Large quantities of
cockles and clams from Malaysia are sold to Thailand for reprocessing (canned)
14 Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters

Table 2.3 Fresh, chilled and frozen bivalve exports, by species, 1995–2005 (in US$ million)
Year Commodity Total
Scallops Mussels Clams Oysters
1995 529.3 207.9 174.6 140.9 1052.7
1996 511.2 239.6 138.6 130.2 1019.6
1997 578.9 240.3 147.0 111.8 1078.1
1998 536.1 219.1 144.8 115.8 1015.8
1999 529.0 239.7 175.8 144.0 1088.4
2000 575.9 263.6 183.5 166.9 1189.9
2001 502.4 256.9 199.8 179.0 1138.1
2002 512.1 317.1 187.2 137.7 1154.1
2003 519.8 377.3 207.0 159.1 1335.1
2004 613.8 417.9 226.6 178.7 1437.0
2005 772.6 428.8 190.1 176.2 1567.6
Source: Globefish-FAO

and to Singapore for local consumption. Meanwhile, Thailand is the largest

supplier of bivalves from the south-east Asia region, especially canned clams,
exported mainly to Canada and the USA. Singapore imported 5085 mt of other
live/fresh molluscs (mainly cockles and clams), predominantly from Malaysia –
(4738 mt) in 2006.
In general there is also growing demand for oysters and mussels in Asian
markets, particularly to satisfy the catering sector (hotel and restaurants).
Imports of mussels to major markets in south-east and far-east Asia are rising
(Table 2.4). Mussels are mainly imported from New Zealand.

Table 2.4 Imports of mussels into Asian markets (mt)

Country 2004 2005 2006
China 1528 3841 14 030
Malaysia 433 467 832
Singapore 373 390 420
Source: China Society of Fisheries, 2004; 2005; 2006; Department of Statistics, Malaysia,
2004, 2005, 2006; Singapore Trade Statistics, 2007

Japan is one of the largest markets for bivalves in Asia, and in fact the
country is the largest importer of clams, mainly from neighbouring countries like
China and the Republic of Korea. Its imports of clams in 2006 totalled 65 096 mt
and were valued at US$121.8 million, China accounting for 83% of the supply.
Overall, bivalve imports into Japan in 2006 reached 70 636 mt, worth US$160
million, with China contributing 77.6% of the share, followed by the Republic of
Korea (16.7% share) (Table 2.5).
Table 2.5 Japan: Imports of live, fresh and frozen bivalves by main suppliers, 2006 (Q ¼ mt; V ¼ US$1000)
Origins Clam Oyster Scallop Mussel Total
Q V Q V Q V Q V Q V
Canada – – 1 7 – – – – 1 7
China 53 907 88 951 81 264 871 5085 – – 54 859 94 300
The Democratic 2836 9079 – – – – – – 2836 9079
People’s Republic
of Korea
The Republic of 7283 28 855 4542 23 249 – – – – 11 825 52 104
Korea
New Zealand – – 258 2350 – – 63 242 321 2592
The Russian 795 1684 – – – – – – 795 1684
Federation
Total (incl. others) 65 096 121 845 5036 27 014 891 5328 89 415 70 636 159 766
Source: Japan Fish Traders Association, 2007
Bivalves: Global production and trade trends
15
16 Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters

China is the largest bivalve producer and also the largest market for bivalves,
but it is mainly supplied from its own internal sources. The country, however,
also imports high value bivalves from other countries to serve the growing
demand from the catering sector. The major bivalve suppliers to China are the
Republic of Korea, New Zealand, USA and Canada (predominantly mussels,
clams and oysters).
Other important markets for bivalves in Asia are China, Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR), China (Province of Taiwan) and Singapore. In
2006, Hong Kong (China) imported 20 000 mt of bivalves mainly from
mainland China, Japan, USA and Canada while China (Province of Taiwan), an
important market for oysters and scallops, imports mainly from the USA,
Canada and Japan. Tables 2.6 and 2.7 how the imports of oysters and scallops
respectively into Asian markets in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Table 2.6 Imports of oysters into Asian markets (mt)

Country 2004 2005 2006
China 553 496 517
China (Hong Kong SAR) 4126 5613 5138
Malaysia 178 117 517
The Republic of Korea 84 175 517
Singapore 789 766 916
Sources: China Society of Fisheries-China, 2004, 2005, 2006; Hong Kong Census and
Statistics Department; Department of Statistics, Malaysia, 2004, 2005, 2006; Korean
Customs Service, 2004, 2005, 2006; Singapore Trade Statistics, 2007

Table 2.7 Imports of scallops into selected Asian markets (mt)

Country 2004 2005 2006
Malaysia 691 599 693
The Republic of Korea 4500 5266 6002
Singapore 704 941 1007
Sources: Department of Statistics, Malaysia, 2004, 2005, 2006; Korean Customs Service,
2004, 2005, 2006; Singapore Trade Statistics, 2007

2.2.2 European Union

In Europe the most important bivalve markets are France, Italy and Spain. The
trade is mainly intra-regional between EU Member States with a smaller
contribution from third countries. The United Kingdom and France produce
oysters, and Denmark, Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain produce mussels.
 Bivalves: Global production and trade trends 17

Only a few third countries, such as Chile and New Zealand, are able to penetrate
the EU markets. France, the largest mussel consumer in Europe, imported
41 200 mt in 2006, with almost 88% of supplies coming from fellow EU
Member States.
The EU Member States, particularly France, Italy and Spain import significant
amounts of scallops, clams and cockles from third countries such as Canada,
various Latin American countries (particularly Argentina, Chile and Peru) and the
USA. Fresh and frozen clams and cockles are imported from Morocco, Tunisia and
Turkey. Canned products are mainly from south-east Asia and Chile. Table 2.8
shows the yearly mussel imports by France, by product form and by country of
origin (in 1000 mt).

Table 2.8 Yearly mussel imports by France, by product form and by country of origin
(in 1000 mt)
Country 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Fresh/chilled/live
Greece 5.2
Ireland 4.5 4.8 4.1 6.8 7.0 13.9 9.6 9.9 8.5 6.2 5.7
Italy 1.8 3.8 4.7
The Netherlands 14.5 14.0 29.3 16.5 11.1 10.5 8.5 15.0 15.5 14.8 10.5
Spain 5.0 7.0 5.9 7.2 6.4 6.6 6.5 5.5 8.0 6.8 9.7
The United 3.6 5.4 4.3 4.9 3.9 7.3 3.7 3.6 3.3 3.1 2.1
Kingdom
Others 4.6 3.5 4.8 4.0 4.6 6.4 5.4 4.5 5.6 4.9 6.6
Total 32.2 34.7 48.4 39.4 33.0 44.7 33.7 38.5 42.7 39.6 39.3
Frozen
Ireland 1.4 1.9 1.2 1.0 0.9 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.0
The Netherlands 0.6 0.5 1.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Others 2.6 2.1 6.0 0.8 1.1 0.7 0.4 0.5 1.0 1.1 0.8
Total 4.6 4.5 9.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.6 1.6 2.3 2.2 1.9
Grand Total 36.8 39.2 57.5 41.5 35.1 46.8 35.3 40.1 45.0 41.8 41.2
included under ‘‘others’’; including dried, salted and in-brine.
Source: Globefish-FAO

2.2.3 United States

In 2006, the USA imported 26 916 mt of fresh/frozen and dried scallops mainly
from Canada, China and Japan. Imports of fresh and frozen oysters and clams
were supplied mainly by Canada while canned products were mostly imported
from Canada, China, Thailand and Viet Nam (Table 2.9).
18 Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters

Table 2.9 United States bivalve imports, 2006

Products Total (MT) Main suppliers (%)
Oyster
Fresh/frozen 5194 The Republic of Korea (38%)
Canada (47%)
Canned 5954 The Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea (38%)
China (60%)
Scallop(meat)
Fresh/frozen/dried 26 916 Canada (13%)
China (50%)
Japan (12%)
Clams
Fresh/frozen 4985 Canada (71%)
Canned/prepared/preserved 10 554 Canada (13.9%)
China (30%)
Thailand (13.9%)
Viet Nam (15%)
Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics Division, Silver Spring,
MD, USA (Personal communication). More information is available at: http://
www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/

2.3 TRADE ISSUES

Trade in bivalve species between developing countries and major markets has
not developed as well as that for other seafood products. This is mainly because
of public health concerns. Importing countries enforce strict regulations on live,
fresh and frozen bivalves which many exporting developing countries are unable
to meet.
Under the EU import regulations on bivalves, currently only 13 third
countries are authorized to export their bivalves to the EU markets (http://
circa.europa.eu/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/lists/lbm.html). From Asia, only Japan,
the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Viet Nam are currently qualified to export
their bivalves to the European Community. This contrasts with other general
seafood products, where approximately 100 third countries and territories have
been approved to export their products to the EU. Almost all major seafood
producers in Asia have been approved by the EU authorities.
Similarly, for export of live, fresh and frozen bivalves to the United States
market, exporting countries need to establish a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
 Bivalves: Global production and trade trends 19

In general, exporting countries must meet the standard stated in the National
Shellfish Sanitation Programme. So far only Canada, Chile, New Zealand and
the Republic of Korea have signed the MoU with USFDA, providing them with
access to the USA market.
Singapore, one of the main bivalve markets in the south-east Asia region, also
applies stringent import inspection procedures on bivalve products which are
considered to be of high health risk. Imports of bivalves must be accompanied
by a health certificate from the competent authority in the country of origin and
samples are collected from every consignment for laboratory tests.

2.4 CONCLUSIONS
There is a growing demand for bivalves, not only in historically developed
countries, but also in developing regions such as south-east and far-east Asia.
The main concerns with the bivalve industry relate to the pre-harvest stages
where monitoring of biotoxins, pollution and management of production areas
remain problematical, with many producing countries failing to meet the strict
requirements imposed by consuming nations.
Assistance is needed in improving the pre- and post-harvest practices to
produce satisfactory product quality and safety. Thus, the prospects for growing
the bivalve industry in developing countries will depend on their ability to build
reliable monitoring and inspection programmes and implement sustainable
farming practices.

2.5 REFERENCES
China Seafood Imports and Exports Statistics 2004, 2005 and 2006. Edited by the China
Society of Fisheries-China, PR.
Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Fisheries Statistical Yearbook Taiwan, Kinmen and Matsu Area 2006. Fisheries Agency,
Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, June 2007, Taiwan, China.
Globefish-FAO: Bivalves-Commodity Update, October 2007. Published by Globefish
(FAO), Rome, Italy, 2007.
Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong SAR.
Japan Fish Traders Association (JFTA) Statistics of Japanese Fishery Products Imports,
2006, Japan, 2007.
Korean Customs Service, The Republic of Korea.
Singapore’s Imports/Exports of Fishery Products compiled by Agrifood and Veterinary
Authority (AVA Singapore 2007) (personal communication).