South-Eastern Asia: Molluscs Market 2025

Molluscs Market Size in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, the Southeast Asian molluscs market decreased by -3.6% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +28.7% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Molluscs Production in South-Eastern Asia

In value terms, molluscs production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Molluscs Exports

Exports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, exports of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) in South-Eastern Asia expanded rapidly to X tons, increasing by 12% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced downturn. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, molluscs exports rose sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together generating 79% of total exports. Thailand (X tons) held an 8.9% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Malaysia (8.8%). The Philippines (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +8.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest molluscs supplying countries in South-Eastern Asia were Vietnam ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Thailand ($X), with a combined 90% share of total exports.

Indonesia, with a CAGR of +13.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in South-Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 8.2%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($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 Philippines (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Molluscs Imports

Imports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, molluscs imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a pronounced slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) represented the main importer of molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus), achieving 60% of total imports. Malaysia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Vietnam (X tons) and the Philippines (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 35% share of total imports. Singapore (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Thailand was also the fastest-growing in terms of the molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) imports, with a CAGR of +8.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Malaysia (+4.2%) and Singapore (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, the Philippines (-4.7%) and Vietnam (-20.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Thailand (+41 p.p.), Malaysia (+9.2 p.p.) and Singapore (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Vietnam saw its share reduced by -52.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Thailand ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported molluscs (scallops, mussels, cuttle fish, squid and octopus) in South-Eastern Asia, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 16% share.

In Thailand, molluscs imports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-16.6% per year) and Malaysia (+5.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood 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 Singapore ($X per ton), while Thailand ($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 Philippines (+21.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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