Turkish Top Shell (Rapana) exports from Jan-23 to Sept-23 increased 67% year-on-year (YoY) to USD 14.4 million. This surge in export value has been accompanied by a 16% YoY growth in export volume, rising from 1,136 metric tons (mt) to 1,326 mt in 2023.
These highly sought-after mollusks found their way to markets in nine countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, Spain, Taiwan, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, and Azerbaijan. South Korea emerged as the top importer, accounting for exports worth USD 6.9 million.
The Black Sea region plays a pivotal role in this development, with the region contributing a significant 63% of the total Top Shell exports. In the span of nine months, the Black Sea region exported Top Shell valued at USD 9.2 million to six countries, with South Korea being the foremost recipient. This marks an impressive 60% YoY increase in export value compared to the same period in the previous year when Black Sea exports amounted to USD 5.7 million.