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
Aquaculture
1995
7077.1
1996
7188.6
1997
7406.0
1998
8013.7
1999
8878.9
2000
9156.3
2001
9920.0
2002
10 419.5
2003
11 217.1
2004
11 650.4
2005
11 861.9
Source: Globefish-FAO
Sector
Total
Wild
1936.7
1845.6
1771.5
1790.7
1831.1
1985.0
2000.9
2018.0
2086.2
1964.5
1726.3
9013.7
9034.2
9177.4
9804.5
10 709.9
11 141.2
11 920.7
12 437.5
13 303.3
13 614.9
13 588.2
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
1995
3243.1
1996
3223.8
1997
3664.8
1998
3699.9
1999
3878.6
2000
4247.0
2001
4403.8
2002
4504.1
2003
4669.2
2004
4757.2
2005
4781.5
Source: Globefish-FAO
Clams,
cockles,
arkshells
3223.8
2700.4
2755.5
3100.0
3601.9
3431.8
3933.8
4256.5
4712.4
4944.8
4881.6
Scallops,
pectens
Mussels
Total
1690.8
1811.3
1802.0
1429.0
1564.2
1815.2
1921.9
1968.1
2023.0
1953.7
1986.2
1353.0
1298.8
1355.1
1575.5
1665.2
1647.2
1661.3
1708.8
1898.7
1958.7
1939.0
9013.7
9034.3
9577.4
9804.4
10 709.9
11 141.2
11 920.8
12 437.5
13 303.3
13 614.9
13 588.2
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)
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Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters
Table 2.3 Fresh, chilled and frozen bivalve exports, by species, 1995–2005 (in US$ million)
Year
Scallops
1995
529.3
1996
511.2
1997
578.9
1998
536.1
1999
529.0
2000
575.9
2001
502.4
2002
512.1
2003
519.8
2004
613.8
2005
772.6
Source: Globefish-FAO
Commodity
Mussels
Clams
Oysters
207.9
239.6
240.3
219.1
239.7
263.6
256.9
317.1
377.3
417.9
428.8
140.9
130.2
111.8
115.8
144.0
166.9
179.0
137.7
159.1
178.7
176.2
174.6
138.6
147.0
144.8
175.8
183.5
199.8
187.2
207.0
226.6
190.1
Total
1052.7
1019.6
1078.1
1015.8
1088.4
1189.9
1138.1
1154.1
1335.1
1437.0
1567.6
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).
Q
–
53 907
2836
Clam
V
–
88 951
9079
Canada
China
The Democratic
People’s Republic
of Korea
The Republic of
7283
28 855
Korea
New Zealand
–
–
The Russian
795
1684
Federation
Total (incl. others)
65 096
121 845
Source: Japan Fish Traders Association, 2007
Origins
23 249
2350
–
27 014
258
–
5036
Oyster
V
7
264
–
4542
Q
1
81
–
891
–
–
–
5328
–
–
–
Scallop
Q
V
–
–
871
5085
–
–
89
63
–
–
415
242
–
–
Mussel
Q
V
–
–
–
–
–
–
70 636
321
795
11 825
Q
1
54 859
2836
Table 2.5 Japan: Imports of live, fresh and frozen bivalves by main suppliers, 2006 (Q ¼ mt; V ¼ US$1000)
159 766
2592
1684
52 104
Total
V
7
94 300
9079
Bivalves: Global production and trade trends
15
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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
Ireland
Italy
The Netherlands
Spain
The United
Kingdom
Others
Total
4.5
4.8
4.1
6.8
7.0
13.9 9.6
14.5 14.0 29.3 16.5 11.1 10.5 8.5
5.0 7.0 5.9 7.2 6.4 6.6 6.5
3.6 5.4 4.3 4.9 3.9 7.3 3.7
9.9
8.5
1.8
15.0 15.5
5.5 8.0
3.6 3.3
6.2
3.8
14.8
6.8
3.1
5.2
5.7
4.7
10.5
9.7
2.1
4.6 3.5 4.8 4.0 4.6 6.4 5.4 4.5 5.6 4.9 6.6
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
The Netherlands 0.6 0.5
Others
2.6 2.1
Total
4.6 4.5
Grand Total
36.8 39.2
included under ‘‘others’’;
Source: Globefish-FAO
1.2 1.0 0.9 1.3 1.1 1.1
1.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0
6.0 0.8 1.1 0.7 0.4 0.5
9.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.6 1.6
57.5 41.5 35.1 46.8 35.3 40.1
including dried, salted and in-brine.
1.3
0.0
1.0
2.3
45.0
1.1
0.0
1.1
2.2
41.8
1.0
0.1
0.8
1.9
41.2
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).
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Safe Management of Shellfish and Harvest Waters
Table 2.9 United States bivalve imports, 2006
Products
Oyster
Fresh/frozen
Total (MT)
Main suppliers (%)
5194
The Republic of Korea (38%)
Canada (47%)
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
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).