The mussel market - Italy

1.1 Introduction

The mussel market represents a significant component of the country's seafood industry, Italy being one of the main producers and exporters of this seafood. Mussels can belong to different varieties, some of the most famous in Italy are:[Dissapore]

• Cozza di Trieste: Raised in Friuli Venezia Giulia, prized for its delicate and savory flavor.
• Cozza di Scardovari DOP: A product of the Veneto region, known for its meaty flesh and sweet flavor.
• Adriatic Mussel: Predominant in Italy, noted for being juicy and flavorful.
• Portonovo wild mosciolo: Grows naturally in the Conero area, hand-harvested and protected by Slow Food.
• Cozza from the Gulf of Naples and the Phlegrean Coast: A key ingredient in the iconic Naples mussel pee, with a savory, sweetish flavor.
• Taranto mussel: Native to Taranto, it is famous for its pink flesh and salty taste.
• Cozza Salentina: Originating from Lecce, it is characterized by an iodized flavor, a sweetish aftertaste and a soft texture.
• Hairy mussel from Puglia: A wild subspecies from the Bari coast with a reddish-brown, hairy shell.
• Olbia mussel: Sardinian variety, organically farmed and fed only on natural plankton.

Mussels are highly prized mollusks for their taste and high content of nutrients such as tyrosine, protein and minerals. Historically considered a delicacy, they are widespread throughout the world, with mussel nurseries found throughout the Mediterranean. In Italy, they are known by various names, such as "mitili" and "muscioli," depending on the region. They have an interesting history in southern Italy, particularly in Naples, where they were probably farmed from the time of Greek colonization. The volcanic sea in the area gives the mussels a particularly tasty flavor. During the 1800s, Ferdinand of Bourbon elevated mussels to a dish for refined palates, creating the famous"impepata di cozze." Moreover, due to their low cost, they became popular even among the working classes, giving rise to the trade of the "mussel peddler."[Gastrophysical notebooks]

The global mussel market reached $4.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2030, with a projected growth rate of 4.6 % annually (CAGR) over the forecast period 2023-2030.[GlobalInformation]

This study focuses specifically on the mussel market. For more information on related markets, such as fish, please refer to the specific studies available in the Businesscoot catalog.