Middle East: Molluscs Market 2025

Molluscs Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the Middle Eastern molluscs market, when its value increased by 3.7% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a noticeable contraction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Molluscs Production in the Middle East

In value terms, molluscs production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 12%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Molluscs Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, exports of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) in the Middle East skyrocketed to X tons, with an increase of 30% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports recorded a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, molluscs exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 89% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Yemen (X tons) and Oman (X tons) represented the major exporters of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) in 2021, amounting to approx. 40% and 34% of total exports, respectively. Bahrain (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by Iran (5%). The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Bahrain (with a CAGR of +10.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest molluscs supplying countries in the Middle East were Oman ($X), Yemen ($X) and Bahrain ($X), together accounting for 84% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Bahrain, with a CAGR of +6.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a slight decline. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Molluscs Imports

Imports in the Middle East

Molluscs imports surged to X tons in 2021, growing by 43% on the previous year. In general, imports, however, showed a noticeable descent. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, molluscs imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 59% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together making up a 23% share of total imports. The following importers - Oman (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), Qatar (X tons) and Iran (X tons) - together made up 11% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to molluscs imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at -3.4%. At the same time, Iran (+31.2%), Qatar (+13.5%), Oman (+4.7%) and Israel (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +31.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Turkey (-4.2%) and Saudi Arabia (-11.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Oman, Iran, Israel and Qatar increased by +2, +1.9, +1.6 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) in the Middle East, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Israel, with a 6.3% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, molluscs imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+1.5% per year) and Israel (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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