Exports and Export Markets for Giant Clam Products in the South Pacific: Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa

This paper explores the giant clam meat export experience of Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa. This is done by reporting on interviews conducted during fieldwork in these countries and by presenting secondary data. For Fiji, the introduction of an export ban for giant clam products meant the interruption of an (unsustainable) export of more than 30Mt of meat per year. A future clam mariculture industry can therefore look towards at least re-acquiring this share of the market. Western Samoa and, to a lesser extent, Tonga have limited experience in clam export due to limited naturally available clam stocks. In Tonga, there is however some commercial export taking place in the Vava'u group. For export purposes, the Vava'u group appears to be in a better position than the Ha'apai group because of favourable air links to overseas markets