South Africa: Molluscs Market 2024

Molluscs Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African molluscs market increased by 0.9% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a noticeable setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Molluscs Production in South Africa

In value terms, molluscs production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 18%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Molluscs Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) increased by 20% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports showed perceptible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, molluscs exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports enjoyed a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main destinations of molluscs exports from South Africa, with a combined 76% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Portugal, the United States, Croatia, the UK and Australia, which together accounted for a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +37.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Spain ($X) and Greece ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for molluscs exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 70% of total exports. Portugal, the UK, Croatia, the United States and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.6%.

Among the main countries of destination, Australia, with a CAGR of +33.1%, 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 average molluscs export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 14% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Molluscs Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, molluscs imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest molluscs supplier to South Africa, with a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, molluscs imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at +3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (-5.7% per year) and Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (-0.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), Falkland Islands (Malvinas) ($X) and Spain ($X) appeared to be the largest molluscs suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 66% of total imports. Namibia, Peru, Argentina, the United States and New Zealand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Namibia, with a CAGR of +51.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average molluscs import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while the price for Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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