Demand for European mussels within the EU on the decline

07/11/2016

In the first quarter of 2016, purchases of mussels in the 10 largest buying countries slightly increased (+2 500 tonnes) compared with the same period in 2015. For the world's largest importers, France and Italy, imports grew by 5% and 4% respectively.

In terms of exports, the leading traders declined notably: the Netherlands by 24%, Chile by 12%, and Spain by 1%. Interestingly, by contrast, modest producers reported growing exports on the international market, including Denmark (+54% or +1 900 tonnes), New Zealand (+21% or +1 500 tonnes), and Canada (+36% or +900 tonnes).

During the review period, total EU imports of mussels declined by 3% to total 42 400 tonnes compared with 43 600 tonnes in the same period the year before.

The largest importers inside the EU - France and Italy - consolidated their share to take 58% of total EU mussel imports. Inter-EU imports of mussels into smaller markets demonstrated a clear decline, such as Germany (-14%), Belgium (-10%) and the Netherlands (-48%). These markets were traditionally important mussel consumers, but young consumers are not consuming the product as much as older generations have.

The two largest suppliers to the French market, The Netherlands and Spain, consolidated their market share, and in the first quarter comprised 59% of all French imports, at the expense of Italy and Denmark.

Notably, supplies from non-EU origin into the EU reached an unprecedented peak during the first quarter of 2016, accounting for 22% of total EU imports.

Organic mussel production within the EU continues to grow. Indeed, the largest offshore rope-grown mussel farm was started in early 2016 off the coast of southern England (pre-Brexit). At full operation, production is expected to produce 10 000 tonnes of blue mussels Mytilus edulis. Denmark is also leading the organic production charge, with estimates of the country totaling over 2 000 tonnes of organic rope-grown mussels.

Disease incidence continues to brutally impact farms on the west coast of France during the first quarter of 2016. In some areas, local mortality observed in 2015 and 2016, reached 90%. As of May 2016, mortality was still reaching 70% in certain basins (Source: Charente Libre). The Vibrio splendidus bacteria is suspected to be the cause of mortality. Moreover, unusual environmental conditions including "large amounts of fresh water, re-suspension of sediments during a series of storms, and a high renewal rate of specific water masses in Brittany's Pertuis area" may be partially responsible for sparking the phenomenon (Source: Epidemiological Bulletin , Animal Health and Food). In May 2016, the French State Minister for Maritime Affairs announced a grant of EUR 4 million to provide to impacted mussel farmers.

The report analyses the market situation over the period January-July 2016

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