Top Japanese Carpet Shell Fishing Countries

The Japanese carpet shell (Ruditapes philippinarum), also known as the Manila clam, is a highly valued bivalve mollusk native to the Indo-Pacific region. Renowned for its sweet, tender flesh, this species thrives in intertidal mudflats and sandy shores. The global fishing and aquaculture industry for Japanese carpet shell is dominated by several countries, with China leading by a significant margin, producing millions of metric tons annually through both wild harvest and extensive aquaculture. Japan, the species’ namesake, also maintains a substantial industry, both for domestic consumption and export, utilizing traditional and modern farming techniques. South Korea and Italy are other major producers, with Italy being the primary European country to successfully cultivate and harvest the species after its introduction in the 1980s. The Japanese carpet shell’s adaptability and high market demand have made it one of the world’s most important and widely farmed shellfish species.

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