Mussels in the EU

Summary

• At global level, mussel's production amounted to 2,2 million tonnes in 2020, primarily from aquaculture (97% of the total). China is the main producer contributing to 43% of the global mussel's production in 2020, followed by the EU-27 and Chile, with 20% and 19% respectively. The global production has increased by 7% between 2011 and 2020, driven mainly by the increase of the Chinese and Chilean production.
• In 2020, the 27 EU Member States produced 430.748 tonnes of mussels, mainly from aquaculture (94% of the total). Mussel's production from fishery occurs only in Denmark and shows a significant decreasing trend in recent years. The EU production has been decreasing for the last ten years (2011-2020). Spain is by far the main producer (47% of the EU production in 2020). In 2020, it was followed by France (14% of the EU production), Italy (12%), the Netherlands (8%), Denmark (7%), Greece (4%) and Ireland (3%).
• This study focuses on the mussel’s market in Spain, France, Italy and Ireland.
  • Spain only produces the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), with the majority of the production being concentrated in Galicia (97% of the Spanish production in 2020). Spain is the largest EU producer of mussel and the main EU consumer of mussels. It also has a significant mussel processing industry. Mussel production is carried out through two production methods: the suspended rope culture (which is the predominant method) and the bottom cultured production.
  • France is the second largest producer and consumer, producing both blue and Mediterranean mussels. A significant share of mussel production is marketed under quality schemes. A variety of production methods is used, “bouchot” being the predominant method used (83% of the French mussel’s production in 2020).
  • Italy ranks third in terms of production and consumption, with a significant decrease in production in recent years. Most of Italian mussel production (Mytilus galloprovincialis) is concentrated on the Adriatic coastline. Three production methods are implemented: the bottom culture (typical of the lagoon areas of the Po delta), the fixed-pole method (the oldest method, widespread in sheltered lagoon and coastal area of the southern regions) and the dominant system: suspended long-lines (or floating rows) in the open sea.
  • Ireland ranked seventh at EU level in 2020. It is a relatively small market (small apparent consumption in comparison to the other major producers). Two production methods are practiced: rope grown system and bottom grown system, with rope grown system being the most widespread method used.
• The EU imports of mussels from third countries are higher than exports. In 2021, the EU trade deficit amounted to EUR 104,4 million. EU imports from third countries mainly concern preserved products, with Chile being the main supplier. On the contrary, the EU mainly exports fresh (mostly from France and Italy) and prepared-preserved mussels (mainly from Spain and Belgium). The main destinations of the EU production include Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Intra-EU trade occurs between several countries that are both major producers and consumers (except for Belgium which has no aquaculture production but is a major mussel consumer). Therefore, the Belgian market is heavily dependent on imports from the other MS (it was the largest importer within the EU in 2021, imports coming mainly from the Netherlands).
  In 2020, mussel apparent consumption in the EU was estimated at 537.212 tonnes live weight equivalent (LWE), with an estimated per capita consumption of 1,20 kg. Spain was the largest market with an apparent consumption of 167.403 tonnes (LWE) and 3,54 kg/capita. France followed with an apparent consumption of 127.337 tonnes (LWE) (1,89 kg/capita) and Italy with 103.328 tonnes (LWE) (1,73 kg/capita). Ireland has a small market for mussels (1.890 tonnes LWE, 0,38 kg/capita).
• The price structure analysis developed in this report focuses on the following value chains:
  • Fresh mussels, normal size, sold in supermarkets and in specialized stores in Spain, based on the analyses carried out by the Observatory of prices and food of the MAPA on the value chain and price formation of fresh mussels of aquaculture;
  • Fresh mussels cultured on “Bouchot” in France and certified Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) "Moule de bouchot" sold by the producer to a purchasing central of large retailers;
  • Fresh standard mussels (without certification) cultured on longlines in France and sold directly by the producer to local restaurants in France;
  • Fresh rope mussels produced in Italy and sold in nets in large scale retails in Italy;
  • Fresh rope mussels produced in Ireland and exported in bulk to the French market, to be processed and packed by a French buyer (packer).
• The main results of this analysis can be summarized as follows:
  • The first sale prices vary between 0,70 EUR/kg to 1,70 EUR/kg depending on the species, the mussel’s quality and the country of origin (the highest ex-farm prices are observed in France for “Bouchot” mussels), and the segmentation effort undertaken by the producer (i.e. certification);
  • The retail price (excl. VAT) for mussels was different in Italian, Spanish and French markets: it was about 2,65 EUR/kg in Italy, 2,82 EUR/kg in Spain and 3,60 EUR/kg in France. The raw material accounts for 26% of the final price at retail stage in both Spain and Italy and for 44% of the final price in France;
  • The Irish mussel is sold in the French market at 3,91 EUR/kg at retail stage.