Surge in global demand fuels Vietnam’s clam export growth
Vietnam's clam industry is riding a wave of success, with clams now representing over 52% of the nation's mollusk exports.
In August 2024 alone, clam exports surged to nearly USD 10 million, marking a significant 29% year-on-year increase. Cumulatively, the first eight months of 2024 saw the export value of clams exceed USD 65 million, reflecting a 19% growth.
Vietnam cultivates over 41,500 hectares of mollusks, predominantly shellfish, producing around 265,000 tons annually. Of this, clams contribute a substantial 179,000 tons. The industry provides livelihoods for approximately 200,000 workers. However, climate change and increasing saltwater intrusion pose growing challenges to the industry, particularly impacting clam yields.
Source: VASEP
The European Union (EU) remains the largest market for Vietnam’s clam exports, with Spain and Italy leading the charge. Spain imports 26% of Vietnam’s clam exports, followed closely by Italy at 21%. While exports to Spain remain steady, Italy’s demand showed signs of fluctuation in August.
Meanwhile, China, Vietnam’s third-largest clam market, has shown remarkable growth. Exports to China have skyrocketed, achieving a staggering 215% increase in the first eight months of 2024, reaching nearly USD 11 million.
Industry insiders point to rising global demand for clams and mollusks as the key driver of Vietnam’s robust export growth, with forecasts predicting continued upward momentum through the end of the year.
VFM
