Fresh abalone trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in fresh abalone was worth $135.8 million in 2024, about 5.9 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 18% since 2017, and down 15% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $135.8M | 5.9K t |
| 2023 | $160.0M | 5.6K t |
| 2022 | $173.7M | 5.4K t |
| 2021 | $155.6M | 4.8K t |
| 2020 | $133.8M | 5.1K t |
| 2019 | $158.0M | 4.7K t |
| 2018 | $165.2M | 5.1K t |
| 2017 | $165.0M | 5.5K t |
Top fresh abalone exporting countries
South Korea is the largest exporter with 38% of world exports, followed by Australia and South Africa. The top three supply 78% between them, out of 40 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $51.1M | 38% |
| Australia | $32.2M | 24% |
| South Africa | $23.2M | 17% |
| China | $13.8M | 10% |
| New Zealand | $10.5M | 7.8% |
| Japan | $1.7M | 1.3% |
| Mexico | $801K | 0.6% |
| Chile | $800K | 0.6% |
| Spain | $577K | 0.4% |
| Hong Kong | $298K | 0.2% |
| Malaysia | $193K | 0.1% |
| France | $121K | 0.1% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Japan (31%), China (27%) and Hong Kong (18%). 55 countries imported it, and the top three take 76% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $42.6M | 31% |
| China | $36.7M | 27% |
| Hong Kong | $24.4M | 18% |
| Taiwan | $16.3M | 12% |
| Vietnam | $5.2M | 3.9% |
| United States | $4.0M | 3% |
| Macao | $2.1M | 1.6% |
| Singapore | $2.0M | 1.5% |
| Italy | $688K | 0.5% |
| Thailand | $358K | 0.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $261K | 0.2% |
| Malaysia | $182K | 0.1% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $23.01 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Japan averaged $104.63 per kg and Mexico $10.57 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0307.81: Molluscs: abalone (Haliotis spp.), whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled. HS 0307 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most fresh abalone?
South Korea exported $51.1 million in 2024, 38% of the world total, followed by Australia (24%) and South Africa (17%). In all, 40 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most fresh abalone?
Japan imported $42.6 million in 2024, 31% of world imports, ahead of China (27%) and Hong Kong (18%). The top three importers together take 76%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in fresh abalone?
It was worth $135.8 million in 2024, about 5.9 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 18% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $173.7 million. 40 countries reported exports and 55 reported imports.
What is the average price of fresh abalone per kg?
The world average declared value was about $23.01 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Japan averaged $104.63 per kg and Mexico $10.57 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for fresh abalone?
The HS code for fresh abalone is subheading 0307.81, in chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 0307 page.
How can I find fresh abalone buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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