Eastern Asia: Molluscs Market 2025

Molluscs Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian molluscs market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Molluscs Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, molluscs production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Molluscs Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, shipments abroad of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) increased by 35% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, molluscs exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 70% of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by South Korea (11%).

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) exports, with a CAGR of +4.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Korea (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+22 p.p.) and South Korea (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Taiwan (Chinese) saw its share reduced by -3.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest molluscs supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 7.4% share of total exports.

In China, molluscs exports increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+4.8% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, falling by -10.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+9.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Molluscs Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) were imported in Eastern Asia; rising by 19% compared with the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, molluscs imports stood at $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China represented the largest importer of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 53% of total imports in 2021. South Korea (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 25% share, followed by Japan (13%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (5.1%). The following importers - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons) - each finished at a 4.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to molluscs imports into China stood at +7.9%. At the same time, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (+24.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic People's Republic of Korea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +24.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-1.4%), South Korea (-2.1%), Hong Kong SAR (-7.8%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-9.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of China and Democratic People's Republic of Korea increased by +23 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, China ($X), South Korea ($X) and Japan ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 86% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan (Chinese) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea, with a CAGR of +28.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Democratic People's Republic of Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+12.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :