In 2023, Vietnam's exports of shellfish products will reach 127 million USD, down 12%. Vietnam's main shellfish exports include clams accounting for 62% of export value, snails accounting for 12%, oysters accounting for 11%, and scallops accounting for nearly 9%. In addition, there are a number of species with modest export value including oysters, mussels, abalone, and mussels.

Clams are the product with the largest export turnover, reaching nearly 79 million USD, down 17% compared to 2022, due to exports to the two main markets, Spain and Italy, falling deeply by 15% and 36%. Frozen steamed clams HS code 16055600 is the main export product with an export value of 72 million USD with 3 main markets: Italy, Spain and Portugal, accounting for a total of 66% of exports. Among these top 3 markets, only Portugal increased clam imports from Vietnam by 10% last year. Particularly for frozen steamed clams in the EU, products from Vietnam always rank No. 1, holding a dominant market share of 40-80% in main markets.

The US is Vietnam's 4th largest clam import market, but last year clam exports to the US decreased by 16%. In this market, China's cold steamed clam products account for a large proportion of 50%, and the average export price is often 20-40% lower than Vietnamese products, so Vietnamese clams are more difficult to compete with. in America.

Oysters are a product with breakthrough export growth in 2023, with an increase of 56% reaching over 14 million USD, mainly fresh and chilled oysters. In particular, the Taiwan market alone consumes over 77% of Vietnam's oyster exports with a value of nearly 11 million USD, an increase of 26% compared to 2022. In addition, Vietnam also exports fresh chilled oysters to Laos, Cambodia, and Japan…

For snails, Vietnam exports mainly frozen snails and snails, in addition to wool snails, horn snails and other types of snail meat. In 2023, snail products exports will reach nearly 16 million USD, down 6%. The main consumer markets include Japan, the US, China, and Korea. Exports to most markets decreased compared to 2022, except for Korea, which increased by 47% with the main products being apple snails and sea snails.

In 2023, in addition to the four largest export markets of Vietnamese clams, in the top 10 markets there will also be China and Cambodia with breakthrough increases. Exports to China increase 34 times, and to Cambodia nearly 16 times compared to 2022. These two countries import mainly live silk clams from Vietnam. In addition to clams, China also imports snails and live oysters from Vietnam.

Bivalves are an attractive commodity for the HORECA industry and consumption is showing an increasing trend. In 2023, demand for bivalve mollusks recovers, especially in the summer months, the number of tourists in markets, especially Europe, increases, and consumption of bivalve mollusks in restaurants increases. according to. However, because the supply in 2023 also increases (mussels, oysters, scallops...), the price decreases. The supply and price of other bivalve molluscs also have a competitive impact on Vietnam's clam exports, so the price of clams also decreases, causing the export value to decrease.

China, the main exporter of clams, Japan and South Korea are the main importing countries. In the first half of 2023, these countries will all reduce clam trading volume. China reduced exports by 5% to 57,000 tons. Japan also reported a 5% decrease in imports to 20,000 tons. Korea's clam imports decreased by 500 tons in the first 6 months of the year but are still the main importing country.

Inflation continues to impact consumer demand and due to the general economic situation, consumers may limit their consumption of expensive foods, which will lead to demand for oysters and bivalves. Other specialty shells are reduced.