FAO SOFIA 2024: Leading Countries in Mollusk Production
The 2024 State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marks a historic milestone: for the first time, aquaculture production has surpassed capture fisheries. Within this booming sector, mollusks—including oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops—remain a vital pillar of global food security and economic trade.
What are the leading countries in mollusk production according to the FAO?
According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, China remains the undisputed global leader, accounting for the vast majority of world mollusk production. In the bivalve sector specifically, other top producers include Chile (the world’s largest mussel exporter), Japan (the primary supplier of scallops), and South Korea. In Europe, Spain and France lead in mussels and oysters, respectively, while Italy ranks as the second-largest clam producer globally after China.
Top 5 Mollusk Producing Countries
The following table highlights the dominant players in global mollusk production. While China’s volume is vastly superior, other nations have carved out high-value niches in the global market, contributing to a global aquaculture "first-sale" value of over $313 billion.
| Rank | Country | Flag | Primary Species | Production (Metric Tons) | Est. Export Value ($) |
| 1 | China | 🇨🇳 | Clams, Oysters, Scallops | 15,800,000+ | $22.4 Billion |
| 2 | Vietnam | 🇻🇳 | Clams, Snail, Oysters | 265,000+ | $200 Million+ |
| 3 | South Korea | 🇰🇷 | Oysters, Mussels | 370,000+ | $180 Million+ |
| 4 | Japan | 🇯🇵 | Scallops, Oysters | 345,000+ | $150 Million+ |
| 5 | Chile | 🇨🇱 | Mussels | 250,000+ | $115 Million+ |
Global Production Trends
The SOFIA 2024 report highlights that mollusk production is heavily concentrated in Asia, which accounts for over 90% of global aquaculture output. While finfish make up the largest portion of aquaculture growth, mollusks contributed a significant 15.6% to the recent increase in farmed aquatic animal production.
Key Takeaways for 2026
The "Blue Transformation": The FAO is pushing for "Blue Transformation" to ensure that mollusk farming, which has a lower environmental footprint than many other animal proteins, continues to expand sustainably.
Export Dominance: Chile has solidified its role as a global powerhouse for mussels, while Spain remains the leader in the European Union.
Economic Impact: The total first-sale value of all aquaculture (led significantly by mollusks and finfish) reached an estimated $313 billion in the most recent reporting cycle.
Global Leader: Mollusk Production in China
As highlighted in the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, China is the undisputed global powerhouse in mollusk production. In 2024, China’s shellfish output reached an estimated 18.09 million tons, marking a 5.54% increase from the previous year. This single nation accounts for over 80% of the world's total mollusk production.
Key Production Dynamics
China's success is driven by a massive marine aquaculture (mariculture) network, which contributes 96% of its total shellfish output. The industry is characterized by:
Technological Advancement: The use of triploid hatchery technology allows mollusks to reach market size 6–8 months faster than natural cycles.
Regional Specialization: Production is concentrated in coastal provinces, with Shandong, Fujian, and Liaoning producing nearly 70% of the national total.
Economic Value: The output value for marine aquaculture shellfish in China was nearly $29 billion in 2023.
China’s Mollusk Production by Species (2024 Est.)
The following table breaks down the primary species contributing to China's massive market share.
| Rank | Species Group | Key Varieties | Production (Metric Tons) | Major Provinces |
| 1 | Clams | Manila Clam, Razor Clam | 4,500,000+ | Shandong, Liaoning |
| 2 | Oysters | Pacific Oyster, Kumamoto | 4,000,000+ | Fujian, Guangdong |
| 3 | Scallops | Japanese & Yesso Scallops | 1,500,000+ | Shandong, Liaoning |
| 4 | Mussels | Blue & Mediterranean Mussel | 800,000+ | Zhejiang, Shandong |
| 5 | Abalone | Pacific & Red Abalone | 100,000+ | Fujian, Shandong |
Notable Trends
Deep-Sea Expansion: China is moving beyond shallow coastal waters into deep-sea aquaculture using massive truss cages and specialized vessels to improve water quality and yield.
High Profitability: While production is high, the profit margins remain robust, particularly for scallops (nearly 70%) and clams/snails (over 40%).
Environmental Integration: China is increasingly adopting "Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture" (IMTA), where mollusks are farmed alongside seaweed and fish to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that recycles nutrients.
Emerging Power: Mollusk Production in Vietnam
In the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Vietnam is recognized as one of the top five global producers of aquatic animals. While the country is world-famous for its Pangasius (catfish) and shrimp, the mollusk sector has rapidly evolved into Vietnam's "third pillar" of aquaculture. In 2025, Vietnam’s bivalve mollusk exports hit a record high of $263 million, representing a 20.6% increase from the previous year.
The Rise of Vietnamese Shellfish
Vietnam's mollusk industry is centered on the country’s extensive coastline and the nutrient-rich waters of the Mekong River Delta and the Red River Delta. Key growth factors include:
MSC Certification: Ben Tre province became a global pioneer by achieving Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its clams, opening doors to high-end European markets.
Diversification: Vietnam has transitioned from simple clam farming to high-value species like Babylon snails, scallops, and blood cockles.
Export Strategy: Vietnamese exporters are increasingly pivoting toward Asian markets (China and Japan) and CPTPP member nations to bypass trade barriers in the West.
Vietnam’s Mollusk Production & Export Profile (2025 Est.)
The following table details the core species driving Vietnam's mollusk sector.
| Rank | Species Group | Flag | Primary Varieties | Annual Production (Metric Tons) | Est. Export Value ($) |
| 1 | Clams | 🇻🇳 | White Clam, Silk Clam | 190,000+ | $100 Million+ |
| 2 | Snails | 🇻🇳 | Babylon Snail (Sweet Snail) | 45,000+ | $60 Million+ |
| 3 | Scallops | 🇻🇳 | Fan Scallop, Noble Scallop | 35,000+ | $45 Million+ |
| 4 | Oysters | 🇻🇳 | Pacific Oyster | 25,000+ | $15 Million+ |
| 5 | Other Bivalves | 🇻🇳 | Blood Cockle, Mussels | 15,000+ | $43 Million |
Regional Production Centers
Vietnam’s production is strategically split across its geography:
Northern Region (Nam Dinh, Thai Binh): Focuses heavily on clams and oysters for the domestic and Chinese markets.
Central Region (Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan): A hub for high-value Babylon snails and scallops due to deeper, saltier waters.
Southern Region (Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Ca Mau): The heart of the MSC-certified clam industry and extensive blood cockle farming in mangrove ecosystems.
Challenges & Outlook for 2026
Seed Quality: Vietnam is investing in 635 specialized hatcheries to reduce reliance on wild-caught seeds, which often carry disease risks.
Climate Resilience: Farmers are adopting "suspended cage" methods to protect stocks from the increasingly frequent heatwaves and salinity changes in the Mekong Delta.
Green Trend: Following the FAO's "Blue Transformation" goals, Vietnam is integrating mollusk farming with seaweed cultivation to naturally filter coastal waters and capture carbon.
High-Tech Seas: Mollusk Production in South Korea
According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report and the latest 2026 industry updates, South Korea has established itself as a global "aquaculture empire." With a per capita seafood consumption of approximately 55 kg—one of the highest in the world—the nation has pioneered ultra-technological marine farming systems to meet massive domestic and international demand.
The "Blue Economy" Jewel
South Korea’s mollusk industry is defined by its high level of automation and regional specialization. Key characteristics include:
Global Oyster Capital: The southern coastal regions, particularly Tongyeong and Geoje, are considered global hubs for oyster production, utilizing extensive long-line suspended culture systems.
Smart Farming (K-Aquaculture): By early 2026, South Korea has integrated AI and IoT sensors into its mollusk farms to monitor water temperature, salinity, and red tide threats in real-time, significantly reducing mortality rates.
Export Strategy: In 2025, South Korea's seafood exports reached a record $3.33 billion, with mollusks like oysters and abalone serving as high-value "luxury" exports to China, Japan, and the United States.
South Korea’s Mollusk Production & Export Profile (2025/2026 Est.)
| Rank | Species Group | Flag | Production Method | Annual Volume (Metric Tons) | Est. Export Value ($) |
| 1 | Oysters | 🇰🇷 | Long-line Suspended | 310,000+ | $180 Million+ |
| 2 | Manila Clams | 🇰🇷 | Tidal Flat / Bottom | 42,000+ | $45 Million+ |
| 3 | Abalone | 🇰🇷 | Marine Cages / Tanks | 23,000+ | $60 Million+ |
| 4 | Mussels | 🇰🇷 | Suspended Culture | 18,000+ | $12 Million+ |
| 5 | Scallops | 🇰🇷 | Hanging Culture | 12,000+ | $25 Million+ |
Key Industry Trends for 2026
Bilateral Trade Surge: Under new agreements signed in January 2026, South Korea and China have simplified sanitary assessment requirements, leading to an 18% surge in Korean seafood exports to the Chinese market.
Environmental Challenges: While production is robust, the industry is currently battling rising sea temperatures. This has led the government to invest in heat-resistant oyster breeds and deeper-water farming sites.
Strategic Roadmap: Under the "2030 Fisheries Initiative," South Korea aims to reach 4 million tons of total seafood production by the end of the decade, with a heavy emphasis on scaling up abalone and oyster automation.
Regional Hubs
Southern Coast (Gyeongnam/Jeonnam): Dominates oyster and abalone production due to its jagged coastline and protected bays.
West Coast (Incheon/Chungnam): Known for clams and cockles harvested from the nutrient-rich tidal flats.
Precision & Tradition: Mollusk Production in Japan
According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report and updated 2026 data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan remains a premier global producer of high-value mollusks. Despite environmental challenges, Japan has pivoted toward premium exports and advanced aquaculture technology, setting a record for seafood export value in 2025 at ¥1.7 trillion ($11.2 billion).
The Scallop Powerhouse
Japan is the world’s leading producer of premium scallops (Hotate), primarily harvested in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Hokkaido and Aomori. The industry is currently defined by:
Strategic Market Shift: Following trade restrictions in 2023–2024, Japan successfully diversified its exports, moving processing from China to Southeast Asian hubs like Vietnam and Mexico to maintain global supply chains.
Environmental Adaptation: To combat rising sea temperatures, Japanese researchers have introduced "offshore hanging cultures" that sit deeper in the water column to protect stocks from heat stress.
Luxury Branding: Japanese "Hokkaido Scallops" and "Hiroshima Oysters" are increasingly marketed as luxury geographic indicators (GIs), similar to fine wines, commanding top prices in the US and EU.
Japan’s Mollusk Production & Export Profile (2025/2026 Est.)
| Rank | Species Group | Flag | Major Production Hub | Annual Production (Metric Tons) | Est. Export Value ($) |
| 1 | Scallops | 🇯🇵 | Hokkaido (Okhotsk Sea) | 410,000+ | $650 Million+ |
| 2 | Oysters | 🇯🇵 | Hiroshima, Miyagi | 165,000+ | $120 Million+ |
| 3 | Clams (Asari) | 🇯🇵 | Aichi, Kumamoto | 35,000+ | $40 Million+ |
| 4 | Squid/Octopus | 🇯🇵 | Aomori, Hakodate | 28,000+ | $85 Million+ |
| 5 | Abalone | 🇯🇵 | Iwate, Chiba | 1,200+ | $55 Million+ |
Key Industry Trends for 2026
Production Contraction: Scallop output in the Okhotsk Sea is projected to fall by 15% in 2026 due to lower plankton supplies. This tightening of global supply is expected to keep market prices at record highs throughout the year.
Discovery of New Species: In February 2026, Japanese researchers officially named a new deep-sea mollusk, Ferreiraella populi, discovered in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, highlighting Japan's continued leadership in marine science.
Automation and AI: Facing a shrinking labor force, Japanese "Smart Fisheries" are now using AI-powered sorting machines and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to monitor oyster beds and harvest scallops with surgical precision.
Regional Highlights
Hokkaido: Produces over 80% of the nation’s scallops, utilizing both wild-capture seeding and sophisticated hanging cultures.
Hiroshima: Known as the "Oyster Capital," it produces nearly 60% of Japan’s farmed oysters, favored for their large size and creamy texture.
Global Leader: Mollusk Production in Chile
Chile stands as the Western Hemisphere's most significant contributor to the global mollusk market. As highlighted in the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Chile has transformed into a "mussel powerhouse," ranking as the world's second-largest producer and the number one exporter of mussels. In 2024, mollusk production accounted for nearly 29% of Chile's total aquaculture output, reaching approximately 430,000 metric tons.
The Mussel Powerhouse
Chile’s mollusk industry is dominated by the Chilean Mussel (Mytilus chilensis), locally known as the "Chorito." The industry is concentrated in the Los Lagos Region (specifically around the Chiloé Archipelago), which provides the pristine, nutrient-rich cold waters necessary for high-quality bivalves.
Export-Driven Economy: Unlike other top producers who consume most of their catch domestically, Chile exports over 90% of its production, primarily to Spain, France, the USA, and China.
Sustainable Growth: The industry is moving toward "Blue Transformation" by integrating smaller-scale producers into the value chain and improving seed collection techniques to ensure long-term sustainability.
Geographic Advantage: The jagged fjords of southern Chile provide natural protection for the long-line suspended culture systems used to grow mussels and scallops.
Chile’s Mollusk Production & Export Profile (2025/2026 Est.)
| Rank | Species Group | Flag | Primary Production Region | Production (Metric Tons) | Est. Export Value ($) |
| 1 | Mussels (Chorito) | 🇨🇱 | Los Lagos (Chiloé) | 427,000+ | $280 Million+ |
| 2 | Northern Scallops | 🇨🇱 | Coquimbo & Atacama | 4,200+ | $45 Million+ |
| 3 | Abalone (Red) | 🇨🇱 | Central & Southern Coasts | 1,100+ | $28 Million+ |
| 4 | Clams / Cockles | 🇨🇱 | Southern Fjords | 8,000+ | $12 Million+ |
| 5 | Oysters | 🇨🇱 | Northern & Central Regions | 500+ | $5 Million+ |
Key Industry Trends for 2026
Seed Scarcity Challenges: A primary concern in 2025-2026 has been a decrease in natural "spat" (mussel seeds), leading the industry to invest more heavily in hatchery technology to stabilize future harvests.
Market Expansion in Asia: Chile is aggressively expanding its footprint in the Chinese market, leveraging free trade agreements to position its frozen mussels and canned scallops as premium, organic alternatives to domestic products.
Value-Added Products: Shifting away from bulk raw exports, Chilean processors are now focusing on high-value "ready-to-eat" meals, vacuum-packed flavored mussels, and half-shell presentations for the global restaurant industry.
Regional Highlights
Los Lagos: Responsible for nearly 99% of mussel production, this region is the economic heartbeat of Chile's shellfish industry.
Coquimbo/Atacama: These northern regions specialize in the Northern Scallop, utilizing desert-edge coastal waters for high-speed growth cycles.
Value-Added Leaders: Beyond Raw Mollusk Production
While raw volume is often dominated by a few coastal giants, the Value-Added Mollusk Market is where economic sophistication meets culinary convenience. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report and 2026 trade projections, the global mollusk market has evolved significantly, with the "prepared or preserved" segment (HS Code 160590) reaching a global trade value of approximately $6.34 billion.
The Shift to "Prepared" Seafood
Value-added production includes processing steps such as canning, smoking, vacuum-packing with sauces (ready-to-eat), and flash-freezing in specialized presentations (e.g., half-shell or breaded). These products command higher prices and are preferred by the growing retail and e-commerce sectors in North America and Europe.
Leading Countries in Value-Added Mollusk Exports (2025/2026 Est.)
The following table ranks countries by their ability to generate high economic value through the processing of mollusks.
| Rank | Country | Flag | Primary Value-Added Products | Est. Export Value (Prepared/Preserved) | Key Market |
| 1 | China | 🇨🇳 | Canned Clams, Frozen Prepared Scallops | $1.41 Billion | Global |
| 2 | Spain | 🇪🇸 | Canned Mussels (Pickled), Octopus | $735 Million | European Union |
| 3 | Morocco | 🇲🇦 | Prepared Octopus and Squid | $595 Million | Japan / Italy |
| 4 | Vietnam | 🇻🇳 | MSC Clams, Seasoned Snail Meat | $480 Million | CPTPP Nations |
| 5 | Chile | 🇨🇱 | Vacuum-Packed Mussels (Ready-to-Heat) | $405 Million | USA / France |
Key Drivers of Value-Added Success
The "Convenience" Trend: In 2026, the demand for Ready-to-Eat (RTE) mollusk products grew by 5.7%. Countries like Chile have specialized in "sauce-in-the-bag" frozen mussels that require only 5 minutes of heating.
Geographic Branding: Spain leads in premium "tinned fish" culture (Conservas), where high-quality mussels in escabeche (vinegar/paprika sauce) are marketed as gourmet luxury goods, often fetching 3x–5x the price of raw bulk products.
Processing Hubs: Vietnam has positioned itself as a major processing hub for other nations. For example, Japanese scallops are often shipped to Vietnam for cleaning and preparation before being re-exported to the US or EU.
Technological Edge: South Korea and Japan are pioneers in high-pressure processing (HPP), which shucks oysters and clams without heat, preserving the "raw" texture while extending shelf life for the retail market.
Regional Outlook
Europe: Remained the largest region for canned seafood in 2025, with Italy and France driving demand for premium processed clams and snails.
Asia-Pacific: Dominates the volume of value-added exports, accounting for over 60% of the processed mollusk market share.
South America: Chile and Peru are the fastest-growing regions for canned and prepared shellfish, leveraging their massive raw production to build local processing industries.
FAO SOFIA 2024: Frequently Asked Questions & Glossary
To better navigate the complexities of the global shellfish industry, this section addresses the most common inquiries regarding the FAO SOFIA 2024 report and provides a technical breakdown of industry-specific terminology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why did aquaculture production surpass capture fisheries for the first time in 2024?
A: This shift is primarily due to technological advancements in countries like China and Vietnam, combined with the stagnation of wild fish stocks. Mollusks have played a massive role because they are "extractive" species—they don't require external feed, making them cheaper and more sustainable to scale.
Q: Which mollusk is the most produced globally?
A: Clams and cockles lead in terms of total volume, followed closely by oysters. However, scallops and abalone generally hold a much higher market value per metric ton.
Q: How does climate change affect mollusk production?
A: Ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures are significant threats. Acidification makes it harder for mollusks to build their calcium carbonate shells, while heatwaves (like those seen in the Mediterranean and Pacific in 2025) can cause mass mortality in mussel and oyster beds.
Q: Is farmed shellfish safe to eat compared to wild-caught?
A: Yes. In many cases, farmed mollusks are safer because they are grown in strictly monitored "sanitary zones." Leading producers like South Korea and Chile use real-time sensors to detect harmful algal blooms (red tides) before the product reaches the market.
Glossary of Terms
Understanding the technical language of the FAO SOFIA report is essential for interpreting trade and production data.
| Term | Definition |
| Aquaculture | The farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants in controlled environments. |
| Bivalve | A class of mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops) characterized by a shell with two hinged parts. |
| Blue Transformation | An FAO initiative aimed at expanding aquatic food systems sustainably to support food security and economic growth. |
| Extractive Species | Organisms like mollusks and seaweed that filter nutrients or minerals from the water rather than requiring formulated feed. |
| GI (Geographical Indication) | A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin (e.g., Hokkaido Scallops). |
| HPP (High-Pressure Processing) | A cold pasteurization technique used to shuck mollusks and kill pathogens without using heat, preserving the raw flavor. |
| IMTA | Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture; a method where different species (e.g., fish, seaweed, and mussels) are farmed together to recycle waste into nutrients. |
| Mariculture | A specialized branch of aquaculture involving the cultivation of marine organisms in the open ocean or enclosed sections of the ocean. |
| Spat | The larval stage of a mollusk (especially oysters and mussels) when it first settles and attaches to a surface to grow. |