Opportunities and challenges for upscaled global bivalve seafood production

Slow growth in the bivalve mariculture sector results from production inefficiencies, food safety concerns, limited availability of convenience products and low consumer demand. Here we assess whether bivalves could meet mass-market seafood demand across the bivalve value chain. We explore how bivalve production could become more efficient, strategies for increasing edible meat yield and how food safety could be improved through food processing technologies and new depuration innovations. Finally, we examine barriers to consumer uptake, such as food allergen prevalence and bivalve preparation challenges, highlighting that appealing and convenient bivalve food products could provide consumers with nutritious and sustainable seafood options-and contribute positively to global food systems. Unfed bivalve mariculture could fill the gap in demand for nutritious and sustainable seafood. This Review explores the bivalve value chain, examining how improved production practices and food processing could address consumer requirements for increased food safety and greater availability of appealing bivalve food products.

Automated summary

The slow growth in the bivalve mariculture sector is mainly due to low production efficiency, food safety concerns, and limited consumer demand. By improving production efficiency, enhancing food safety, and offering more appealing food products, the bivalve industry could potentially meet the increasing demand for nutritious and sustainable seafood.