Molluscs Market Size and Share
Molluscs Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The molluscs market size reached USD 30.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand to USD 41.2 billion by 2030, advancing to 6.20% CAGR during the forecast period. Rising demand for sustainable high-protein seafood, rapid technological adoption in aquaculture, and supportive public-sector funding are the primary drivers behind the upward trajectory. Asia-Pacific commands more than one-half of global revenue thanks to large-scale Chinese production systems and Vietnam’s offshore build-out, while Africa is on course for the quickest regional expansion. Product innovation in cephalopods, the spread of integrated multi-trophic systems, and the acceleration of online retail channels are reshaping competitive dynamics. At the same time, environmental pressures and labor shortages temper growth prospects and intensify the need for adaptive strategies.
Key Report Takeaways
- By geography, Asia-Pacific accounted for 54% of the 2024 market share, and Africa is projected to record a 5.5% CAGR during the forecast period.
Global Molluscs Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escalating global demand for sustainable high-protein seafood | +1.8% | Global, strongest in North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Government subsidy programs for mollusc aquaculture | +1.2% | Europe, North America, and select Asia-Pacific | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Advances in triploid hatchery technology raising yields | +0.9% | Asia-Pacific core, spillover to North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Emergence of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture models | +0.7% | Global, early adoption in Norway, Chile, and China | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Northward shift of suitable farming zones due to warming seas | +0.4% | Northern Europe, North America, and Northern Asia | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Rapid growth of premium oyster bar chains in urban centers | +0.3% | North America, Europe, and select Asia-Pacific cities | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Escalating Global Demand for Sustainable High-Protein Seafood
Demand for lower-carbon animal protein courses through retail and foodservice menus, pushing molluscs volumes upward as buyers look to shrink supply-chain emissions. Farming bivalves requires no external feed and emits roughly 90% less greenhouse gas per kilogram of edible protein than cattle, attracting procurement teams pursuing net-zero targets. California market squid obtained Marine Stewardship Council certification in 2025, opening premium sales channels where certified items command 15-20% price uplifts. Luxury brands such as Gillardeau report USD 22–27 million annual turnover by treating oysters as sustainable indulgences. The trend dovetails with corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scorecards, anchoring steady demand growth well beyond traditional coastal consumption zones.
Government Subsidy Programs for Molluscs Aquaculture
Public subsidies topping USD 232 million in 2024–2025 are reinforcing modern production capacity. The United Kingdom’s USD 127 million Seafood Fund and the European Union’s USD 100 million Blue Revolution initiative earmark resources for hatchery upgrades, processing plants, and biosecurity labs [1]Source: UK Government, “Fishing Vessel Licence Variations,” gov.uk. The United States Sea Grant network added USD 5 million for climate-ready molluscs research, while Norway’s 2025 aquaculture strategy brings tradable quotas that ease marine-space constraints. These instruments crowd in private investment; industry surveys indicate every public dollar is matched by three to four dollars of corporate capital, compressing payback periods for new equipment and disease-mitigation tools.
Advances in Triploid Hatchery Technology Raising Yields
Triploid oysters and mussels grow 25-30% quicker than diploid stock because energy is redirected from reproduction to tissue accretion. Large Chinese hatcheries already turn out more than 2 billion triploids spat per year, enabling farms to reach market size 6–8 months sooner and reduce exposure to disease or storm events. Technological refinements pushed triploid success rates to 95% in 2025, making the approach financially accessible for mid-scale farmers who previously lacked the volume to recover capital costs. Faster cycles amplify returns on infrastructure and elevate product consistency, especially critical for premium live-shipment programs targeting urban restaurants.
Emergence of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Models
Operators that pair molluscs with seaweed and finfish recycle nutrients, earn ecosystem-service credits, and diversify cash flow. Pilot farms in Norway, Chile, and China claim 20-30% higher profitability than monoculture peers thanks to shared infrastructure and regulatory goodwill. Molluscs filter excess nitrogen from finfish cages, cutting environmental monitoring expenses and helping farms comply with stricter discharge caps. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) framework released in late 2024 supplies design guidelines, accelerating project approvals, and lowering engineering risk in new concessions [2]Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, "The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024", fao.org.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean acidification reducing shell calcification rates | -1.4% | Global, severe in Pacific Northwest and Northern Europe | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Vibrio and Norovirus outbreaks impacting exports | -0.8% | Global, concentrated in warm-water regions | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Acute labor shortages in coastal farming hubs | -0.6% | North America, Europe, and developed Countries Asia-Pacific | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Non-tariff barriers on live bivalve shipments | -0.4% | Global, affecting cross-border flows | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Ocean Acidification Reducing Shell Calcification Rates
Declining seawater pH cuts larval calcification efficiency by up to 15%, undermining survival and growth in hatcheries and grow-out sites. Pacific Northwest farms now invest in alkalinity buffering systems that raise operating costs 15–25%. Selective-breeding programs for acid-tolerant lines offer hope yet require long breeding cycles and large genetic libraries, resources beyond smallholder reach.
Acute Labor Shortages in Coastal Farming Hubs
Taylor Shellfish Farms reported 40% unfilled positions in 2024, prompting higher overtime pay and capital outlays for grading machinery. Similar patterns stretch across France, Spain, and Japan, where coastal populations are aging and urban migration drains the labor pool. While automation advances, many tasks such as hand-sorting of premium oysters remain stubbornly manual.
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific cemented a 54% share of the global molluscs market in 2024, propelled by China’s industrial hatcheries and Vietnam’s Asian Development Bank-backed offshore expansion. Regional authorities offer concessional financing and shoreline tenure security that speed scalability. Japan contributes sophisticated broodstock genetics but struggles with workforce aging, prompting the recruitment of foreign labor to sustain capacity growth.
Africa, though only 5% of current turnover, is poised for the fastest 5.5% CAGR. Nigeria’s diversification into brackish-water mollusc ponds and Northern Africa’s 37.5% contribution to continental value highlight untapped potential. Infrastructure deficiencies and biosecurity gaps remain hurdles, yet rising domestic protein demand pulls investment toward coastal hubs.
Europe followed with a 17% stake, anchored by Norway, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. Innovation in cold-water IMTA and the European Union’s Blue Revolution grants keep European growers at the sustainability forefront. Norway’s 2025 strategy assigns tradable production quotas that free coastal space for shellfish once reserved for salmon cages [3]Source: World Trade Organisation, "Trade Policy Review", wto.org.
Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has granted funding to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) to research the sustainability of mollusc aquaculture in Southeast Asia. The research aims to strengthen system resilience and support sustainable growth in mollusc production.
- April 2025: The University of Southampton is spearheading a USD 3.27 million research project to enhance the sustainability of mollusc farming in Asia. The research aims to strengthen food security and safeguard livelihoods in the region against challenges, including global warming, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and commercial pressures. The scientific team will assess the environmental adaptability of various mollusc species.
- February 2024: Institute of Marine Research and Université de Montpellier researchers discovered that Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) develop enhanced immunity when exposed to inactivated pathogens, increasing their resistance to viral diseases like Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1). The immune response persists for several months and transfers to offspring, providing a sustainable alternative to antibiotics for reducing mortality and improving farm productivity. Farm trials commenced in mid-2024, with commercial implementation estimated by late 2025, representing a significant advancement in mollusc aquaculture disease control.
Global Molluscs Market Report Scope
| North America | United States | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| Mexico | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| South America | Brazil | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| Chile | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Peru | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Europe | Norway | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| Spain | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Netherlands | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| France | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| United Kingdom | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Russia | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Asia-Pacific | China | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| India | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Indonesia | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Vietnam | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Japan | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| Iran | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Africa | Egypt | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| Nigeria | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| By Geography | North America | United States | Production Analysis (Volume) |
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| Canada | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Mexico | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| South America | Brazil | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Chile | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Peru | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Europe | Norway | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Spain | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Netherlands | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| France | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| United Kingdom | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Russia | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Asia-Pacific | China | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| India | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Indonesia | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Vietnam | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Japan | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Iran | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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| Africa | Egypt | Production Analysis (Volume) | |
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| Nigeria | Production Analysis (Volume) | ||
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the global molluscs market?
The molluscs market was valued at USD 30.5 billion in 2025.
How fast is the mollusc market projected to grow?
The market is projected to advance at a 6.20% CAGR, reaching USD 41.2 billion by 2030.
Which region holds the largest share of molluscs production?
Asia-Pacific accounts for 54% of worldwide sales, driven mainly by large-scale operations in China and Vietnam.
What is the biggest restraint facing the mollusc industry?
Ocean acidification, which reduces shell calcification rates, poses the most significant long-term biological threat.
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