Top Abalones Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Abalones, classified under the trade category "Abalones nei" (not elsewhere included), are marine gastropod mollusks prized for their flavorful meat and iridescent shells. These slow-growing, herbivorous mollusks inhabit rocky coastal waters, particularly in temperate regions. The leading countries harvesting wild and farmed abalones include China, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. China dominates global abalone production, primarily through aquaculture, followed by South Korea and Japan, which also have significant abalone farming industries. South Africa and Australia are known for their wild abalone fisheries, which are tightly regulated to combat overfishing and poaching. Abalone is a luxury seafood, especially valued in East Asian cuisine, and its high market demand has driven both the development of sustainable aquaculture and, unfortunately, illegal fishing in some regions.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.