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- In 2021, the global scallops production amounted to almost 2,9 million tonnes, mainly from aquaculture (73% in 2021). China is by far the main producer, contributing to 64% of global production in 2021. The same year, Japan came second followed by the United States and Peru, with respectively 18%, 6% and 4% of the global production. Global production has increased by 23% over the period between 2012 and 2021, mainly driven by the increase of Chinese and Peruvian production by respectively 34% and 175% over the same period.
- The EU-27 accounted for only 2% of the world scallop production with 45.985 tonnes in 2021. However, the EU is the main global producer of great Atlantic scallop and the second producer of queen scallop, with 59% and 29% respectively. Scallop production in the EU comes almost exclusively from fisheries, and great Atlantic species is the main species caught (93% of the EU production). France is by far the largest EU producer, with 91% of the total EU-27 production in 2021. The same year, it was followed by Ireland which accounted for 6% of the EU production. Only limited volumes have been produced in other Member States (less than 500 tonnes in Belgium, Spain and Italy).
- The EU imports great Atlantic scallop, mainly from the UK (which is also a major producer, with almost 28.000 tonnes in 2021) and lower value scallops from other third countries. In 2022, scallops imports from third countries to the EU-27 amounted to 25.513 tonnes (product weight), from which around 6.000 tonnes were great Atlantic scallop. Great Atlantic scallop is imported to the EU fresh or frozen, while the other scallop species are imported frozen or smoked (mainly from Argentina, Peru, Japan and Canada). Scallop exports from the EU are lower than imports, with 4.247 tonnes (product weight) exported in 2022 (including 700 tonnes of great Atlantic scallop). Denmark and France were the main exporters. The main destinations of the EU exports include Vietnam for frozen scallops and the UK for fresh scallops. Within the EU, trade involves only some MS (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands). France is the main exporter within the EU, while Italy is the main importer of mainly fresh and frozen scallops from France.
- Apparent consumption of scallops at EU-27 level was estimated to 124.429 tonnes live weight equivalent in 2021, with the EU market being mainly supplied with imports (70% of the EU supply the same year).
- This study focuses on the scallops market in France and Ireland in the EU-27, as well as the UK, given its importance as a major supplier of the EU-27 market.
- France is the largest producer of great Atlantic scallop at EU level and globally. The scallop sector in France is well structured. The resource is well managed and there is significant involvement of producer organisations to organise the market. France is also the main importer of scallops in the EU, with the UK being the main supplier. The other scallop species are imported from Argentina, Peru and Canada. Even though significant volumes of other scallop species are imported to France, the great Atlantic scallop (Pecten maximus) has a unique image given its marketing position as a premium product and the importance of the fisheries (first species landed in France in volume and value terms). Recent years have been characterised by an increase in processing the product and as a result increase in the volumes of scallop meat (unlike past years where the market was dominated by whole live scallop). This trend is explained by a change in consumer habits (preference for easy to prepare products) and seasonality (scallops being mainly consumed during Christmas and New Year period).
- Ireland is the second largest producer of scallops in the EU. The economic model is different from the French model, with a few large vessels (seven) and some small vessels. The sector is also very concentrated with only a few operators involved in processing and marketing scallops landed by the Irish vessels. The Irish production is all processed and whole live scallop is not found on the Irish market. The Irish production is export oriented, with France being the main destination for fresh scallops, while Spain and Italy are the main destinations for frozen scallops. The domestic market for scallops is very small.
- The scallop production is one the highest value commercial fisheries in the UK. Scallop is mainly caught with large vessels. Unlike France, all the British production is processed. The market is vertically integrated as processors own fishing vessels or shares in fishing vessels. The domestic market is very small and characterised by the consumption of low value scallops imported from Peru and Canada. The great Atlantic scallop caught by the British vessels is mainly for the export market, which is made of a variety of products depending on the destination: fresh and frozen meat for the French market and half-shell for the Italian and Spanish markets. The European market is for roe-on meat, while the USA market is for roe-off meat.
- The price structure analysis developed in this report focuses on the following value chains:
- Great Atlantic scallop caught in the Bay of Saint Brieuc (France), processed (shucked and frozen) and packed by a local processor to be sold to retailers;
- Great Atlantic scallop caught in the Bay of Seine (France), cleaned and packed by a wholesaler to be marketed whole in wooden boxes to retailers during Christmas;
- Great Atlantic scallop caught by Irish vessels processed (shucked) and packed in Ireland and then exported to France to be sold in supermarkets;
- Great Atlantic scallop caught by British vessels, landed in the UK, processed and packed in the UK (fresh meat packed in 2 kg packaging) and then exported to France to be sold in supermarkets.
- The main results of this analysis can be summarized as follows:
- The first sale price varies depending on origin, destination market (fresh market versus processing market), and period (highest prices being recorded during Christmas period).
- The retail price in the French market was different depending on the origin: 55 EUR/kg for frozen scallop meat originating from the Bay of Saint Brieuc (France), while imported fresh scallop meat from Ireland and the UK is sold at 35 EUR/kg in the French market. The raw material accounts for 38%, 45% and 33% of the final prices at retail stage, respectively in France, Ireland and the UK.
