Chile is the world’s third-largest producer of farmed mussels in a market heavily dominated by China, according to estimates by the Chilean Association of Mussel Growers, aka AmiChile. In this context, the Asian giant produces an estimated 680,000 metric tons of mussels per year, compared to around 300,000 in Thailand and about 250,000 in Chile, which is followed closely by Spain with 200,000. AmiChile estimates that fifth-place New Zealand produces less than 50,000 metric tons annually. While countries like Argentina have made some attempts at installing mussel farming industries, production is still marginal compared to these players.
Chilean mussel farmers saw a significant improvement in 2011 over 2010, as prices of harvested mussels delivered to processing plants rose from about 70 Chilean pesos (CLP) per kilogram to CLP 120. Producers expect this price to remain stable at around CLP 125 to 130 per kilogram this year. Chilean mussel exports were up by close to 42 percent in 2011, to 68,869 metric tons, at a total cost of USD182 million, or USD2.65 per kilogram, which represents an 18 percent increase in price over 2010. Almost all mussels are exported frozen, with fresh and canned products a statistically insignificant part of the overall amount.
However, it should also be noted that this increase comes after the dismal 2008-2009 seasons and the global economic crisis in Chile’s main markets, as some 70 percent of the country’s mussel exports are shipped to Europe. Three EU nations account for 60 percent of the total: Spain imported USD 61 million in 2011, followed by France (USD 25 million) and Italy (USD 23 million).
Despite the recovery in export prices and volumes, Chile’s overexposure to Europe has led local producers to anticipate another uncertain year as the economic crisis hits its main markets again, with estimates of a 20 percent drop in exports this year. However, AmiChile and its members have made efforts to open up new markets with the creation of the Patagonia Mussel brand. Exports have also branched out to the Russian market; Chilean producers already supply 77 percent of that market’s mussels (2,667 metric tons), far surpassing the target of 50 percent in 2011 and an increase in volume of more than 400 percent compared to the year before.
