The European market for mussels is estimated to be slightly below 600 000 tonnes in equivalent live animal weight, of which 500 000 tonnes is of domestic origin and about 100 000 tonnes of international origin (net balance import-export). The producing countries are not necessarily those that consume mussels and considerable internal trade is recorded. In 2012, around 160 000 tonnes were traded between European Union countries, of which 140 000 tonnes were live fresh produce.