Drop in mussel and scallop trade

In the first six months of 2015, international trade of mussels experienced declines, though to differing degrees depending on the country. In most cases, this negative trade trend reflects a general decline in production, due either to bad weather or to adverse environmental changes (ocean acidification).

World

Global trade of mussels has slightly declined in the first half of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. This drop is the result of declining landings observed in several leading mussel producing countries. In particular, exports from New Zealand, Denmark and Spain. Meanwhile, in other countries, such as Chile and the Netherlands, production and exports have grown, partially offsetting this drop.

Europe

In the first half of 2015, imports entering the EU have declined slightly by 2.4% compared with the same period in 2014. However, this trend varies significantly by country. Though volumes by the three top importers, France, Italy and Spain, show an increase, imports by smaller importers have declined notably; by -11% in Germany, -40% in the Netherlands, -9% in Belgium and -19% in the UK.

France

In France, the four main suppliers of mussels, Chile, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, maintained their market dominance, taking roughly a 78% share of the French market during the first half of both 2014 and 2015.

When comparing the first half of the year over a longer time period (2010 to 2015), Irish exports to France have declined dramatically, from 6 800 tonnes in 2010 to 1 800 tonnes in the first six months of 2015. This reflects the drop in Irish production of mussels, from over 12 000 tonnes in 2011 to less than 3 000 tonnes in 2014 according to BIM (Source: 2014 BIM Annual Aquaculture Survey).

Italy

Italian imports of mussels have slightly increased in the first half of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014 (+2.4%), with Spain maintaining its position as lead supplier, followed by Chile and Greece. Greece has quickly grown its sale volumes to Italy over the past five years, from 1 600 tonnes in the first half of 2010 to 4 800 tonnes in the first half of 2015. In terms of their own production, Italy is a medium-size producer of Mytilus galloprovincialis and has begun growing sales in the Spanish market, from zero in 2013 to 600 tonnes during the first half of 2015.

Denmark

Denmark is another medium-sized producer of mussels and is turning towards organic certified production. According to an article published in World Aquaculture in September 2015, an expected 10% of the total production is currently generated by nine production units for a total volume of some 3 500 tonnes per year. Danish production of line mussels is concentrated in the Limfjorden (North West Jutland).