Worldwide abalone production: an update

Abstract

This paper presents a review of information presented at the 11th International Abalone Symposium, held in New Zealand in February 2023, where representatives from a range of countries presented data on abalone production in their region. The total quantity of abalone produced on farms worldwide has increased significantly in recent years, whilst abalone fisheries have declined. Production from fisheries was almost 20,000 mt in the 1970s but was only about 5850 mt in 2020/21. Over the same period, farm production has increased from negligible quantities in the 1970s to 243,506 mt in 2020/21. China and South Korea produce the largest quantities of abalone. Illegal exploitation, particularly in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, is still a significant problem. Prices paid for abalone on the world market are variable, and depend on a number of factors. China is both a major producer and consumer of abalone, and although there was a fear that over-production in China could be a threat to worldwide market prices, this has not been the experience to date.