This case study provides an overview of mussel production in the EU, focusing on aquaculture and fisheries production, key producing Member States, trade, consumption and price developments. The EU is the world’s third-largest mussel producer, with production dominated by the Mediterranean mussel and blue mussel.
In 2024, total EU mussel production reached 345.858 tonnes, of which 96% came from aquaculture and 4% from fisheries. Spain was by far the largest EU aquaculture producer, accounting for half of EU production, followed by France and Italy. However, EU aquaculture production declined by 25% between 2015 and 2024, reflecting decreases in all major producing countries.
Production is increasingly affected by climate change, predation and spatial pressures. In Galicia, rising temperatures, changes in upwelling and increasing predation are affecting mussel growth and seed availability, prompting the development of digital monitoring, modelling tools and selective breeding. In the Netherlands, the sector is moving towards Seed Mussel Collectors as an alternative to bottom-disturbing seed fishing, while also testing new offshore production areas.
To complement declining EU production, extra-EU imports have increased significantly. In 2025, imports reached 61.113 tonnes worth 208 million euros, mainly consisting of prepared or preserved mussels from Chile and frozen mussels from New Zealand. Spain was the main EU importer, followed by Italy and France. Intra-EU trade remained substantial, with the Netherlands and Spain as the main exporting countries.
EU apparent consumption of mussels was estimated at 515.604 tonnes live weight equivalent in 2023, corresponding to 1,15 kg per capita. Around 72% of supply originated from EU production, while imports accounted for 28%. France and Spain were the main consumption markets, although consumption declined between 2020 and 2023, particularly in Spain and the Netherlands.
Prices increased across several stages of the supply chain. In 2024, ex-farm prices were highest in France, while Spain recorded the strongest increase since 2020. Retail prices also rose, particularly for fresh, frozen and prepared mussels in Spain, reflecting broader cost and supply pressures in the EU market.