Vietnam mollusk shells exports in the first quarter reached over 30 million USD

For the whole year, the export of mollusk shells reached 141.6 million USD, an increase of 35% compared to 2020. Except in February, exports decreased by 24% as it coincided with the Lunar New Year holiday, and in November when exports grew slightly by 9%. For the rest of the year, all recorded double-digit export growth (from 22-82%).

In the structure of mollusk shell exports last year, clams were the main product, accounting for 73% with nearly 103 million USD, up 52% compared to 2020. The second-largest export product was snails accounting for 10% with over 14 million USD, up 3%. Followed by scallop products, scallops accounted for 8% with 11.4 million USD, up 13%. The rest are oysters, scallops, mussels, abalone, and other mixed types...

In 2021, Vietnam exports mollusk shells to more than 50 markets, out of which the top 10 markets consume more than 90% of Vietnam's total mollusk shell exports.

Spain is the largest single market for Vietnam's mollusk shells, accounting for 18%, Italy and the US are second, accounting for 17%, and Portugal is 15%. Japan ranks 5th, accounting for 8% of Vietnam's mollusk shell exports.

Last year, exports to most of the main markets grew by double digits. In which, exports to the US increased the most, 93% reaching 23.6 million USD. Exports to three major EU markets including Spain, Italy, and Portugal increased from 37.5 to 43.7%, reaching 26 million USD, 24.6 million USD, and 20.9 million USD, respectively. However, exports to Japan fell by over 18% to only 11.4 million USD.

Particularly for clam products, Spain, Italy and Portugal were the three largest importing markets, accounting for 25%, 24%, and 20% of Vietnam’s export value, respectively. The US ranked 4th with 14%. Clam exports to all markets got 2-3 digit growths, with the US market alone observing a growth of 144%.

In 2021, there were 20 localities across the country that had exported clams, of which, the leading province is Thanh Hoa, accounting for over 30% of clam export turnover with 24.5 million USD, mainly attributed to Thanh Hoa Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company. The province with the second largest clam export turnover is Ben Tre with 17.8 million USD, accounting for 22% with 3 exporters, namely Ben Tre Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company, Ben Tre Seafood Joint Stock Company, and Hung Truong Phat Seafood Joint Stock Company. Ranking third is Nam Dinh province with a 12% share, prominently by Lenger Vietnam Seafood Co., Ltd worth nearly 10 million USD.

In the first quarter of 2022, the country's shellfish exports increased by 24%, reaching over 30 million USD, of which clams alone were estimated at nearly 20 million USD, up 40% over the same period in 2021.

It is forecasted that mollusk shell exports will continue to increase in the coming months, according to which it is estimated that exports in April 2022 will reach over 12 million USD, up 4% over the same period in 2021.

Please register for the Vietnam Seafood Export Report to access detailed data about the export of each main seafood product in the first quarter of 2022, as well as a forecast for the whole year of 2022.

Compiled by Minh Trang