Scallop Import Landscape Transformed: France Overtakes Japan to Become China’s Top Scallop Supplier

1. Core Data: France Dominates Market Share, Import Volume Surges

In the first five months of 2026, China’s scallop import market kept expanding with a revolutionary shift in supply structure — France officially replaced Japan as China’s largest source of imported scallops.

1. Cumulative Data (Jan-May)

   China imported a total of 3.899 million kg of scallops worth USD 15.9989 million. France supplied 2.841 million kg valued at USD 11.6623 million, accounting for 72.9% of both total volume and value, securing an absolute dominant position and squeezing shares of other suppliers drastically.

2. Explosive Monthly Growth in May (Key Market Indicator)

   China’s scallop imports hit 2.013 million kg in May, jumping 221.3% year-on-year and 186.7% month-on-month; import value reached USD 7.7760 million, up 261.7% YoY.

   France exported 1.6971 million kg of scallops to China worth USD 6.8820 million in the single month, taking up 84.3% of volume and 88.5% of value. Almost all incremental scallop imports in May were driven by French supply.

2. Root Cause of Supply Restructuring: Japan’s Supply Gap & Uncompetitive High Prices

The reshuffle began in August 2023, when China suspended imports of Japanese aquatic products. The domestic market, which once heavily relied on frozen Japanese scallops, was forced to seek alternative suppliers.

1. Japan Redirected Its Scallop Exports

   Japan shifted most scallop shipments to the US, Southeast Asia and Europe while raising export prices significantly. Since 2025, average prices of frozen Japanese scallops to the US hit repeated record highs, once exceeding 6,600 JPY per kg. Raw materials and frozen finished scallops from Hokkaido maintained steep prices, severely undermining Japan’s competitiveness to re-enter the Chinese market.

2. Supply Shortfalls of Global Competitors

   Large-sized Atlantic scallops from the US are in tight supply; producers like Peru lack consistent delivery capacity. Amid global supply shortages, France seized the window to rapidly penetrate China’s market.

3. Core Competitive Advantages of French Scallops

3.1 Stable Production & Wild Fishery Resources

France is Europe’s primary producer of wild scallops, with the Great Atlantic Scallop (Pecten maximus) as its flagship species. Sustainable fishing grounds including the Bay of Normandy and Bay of Saint-Brieuc guarantee stable annual output to meet China’s bulk purchasing demand.

3.2 Price Parity with National Average, Strong Cost Performance

From January to May, French scallops were priced at USD 4,104.70 per ton on average to China, nearly identical to China’s overall scallop import average of USD 4,103.82 per ton. Compared with higher-priced alternatives, French scallops are more accessible for mass catering, wholesale distribution and food processing factories.

3.3 Product Format Aligns Perfectly with Domestic Demand

Frozen scallops accounted for over 99% of China’s total scallop imports at 2.0047 million kg in May. France exports exclusively frozen scallops to China, which support long-distance cold-chain storage, nationwide distribution and bulk stocking — ideal for large-scale importers.

4. Industry Impacts & Supply Chain Restructuring

1. Overhauled Sourcing Logic for Domestic Importers

   Traders and processors that previously centered on Japanese scallops have fully switched to French sources, making European frozen scallops a standard stocking category.

2. Complete Structural Shift in Import Supply

   Japan was once China’s primary scallop supplier, yet supply disruptions allowed France to fill the gap with stable production and affordable pricing. With France holding over 80% market share in May, China’s scallop import core has shifted entirely from Asia to Europe.

3. Long-term Market Outlook

   Japan’s high scallop pricing is unlikely to ease in the short run, and rival producing regions suffer persistent supply instability. Without new large-scale reliable suppliers entering the market, France will retain its dominant position in China’s scallop imports.

Closing Summary

Customs data for Jan-May 2026 clearly signals a brand-new era for China’s scallop import sector. Restricted market access and premium pricing pushed Japan out of the top supplier position, while France captured massive market share by leveraging steady wild fishing capacity, competitively priced frozen products and formats tailored to domestic distribution channels.

For aquatic traders, catering operators and processing manufacturers, the European scallop supply chain has become an indispensable core sourcing channel. Stakeholders should continuously monitor French fishing seasons, international freight rates and supply conditions of competing origins to optimize inventory planning and cost control.

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