Our mussels and salmon set new export records in 2023

Source: Statistics NZ

The 2023 calendar year was a record year in terms of export earnings for both mussels and salmon.

Mussel export earnings were 30% up on the 2022 calendar year to $390m, with frozen half shell mussels leading that charge, up 44% to $288m. Average export price across all markets has been steadily rising since the COVID-19 pandemic struck and price dropped in 2021 to $7.58/kg. 2022 saw the price recover strongly to $10.23/kg and now sits at $11.85/kg for the 2023 year. The second largest mussel product format, mussel oil, also saw a healthy 31% increase in revenue for 2023 to $44m.

Going from strength to strength is salmon exports, with earnings for 2023 increasing a further 15% to $170m. Export revenue from all salmon product formats increased compared to 2022 and the dominant product format, making up 70% of total salmon exports, is fresh, chilled whole salmon with earnings in 2023 of $119m.

Although exports of our Pacific oysters went down 6% to $14.4m, there are some positive signs. Average price for the largest product format, frozen oysters, rose 21% to $17.40/dozen. There has been a distinct shift with live oyster exports dropping 54% to $2m and exports of chilled oysters increasing 78% to $3.3m. The rise in popularity of our chilled oysters is pleasing as it is a more valuable product with average price of $19.82/dozen, compared to live oysters selling at $12.36/dozen in 2023.

We congratulate our exporters on the great job they have done to re-establish strong pricing, while continuing to strengthen relationships and ultimately achieving record export earnings while cementing our position on the global stage as trusted suppliers of world-class farmed seafood.