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The integrated analysis of the European bivalve mollusc markets outlines a complex production and commercial ecosystem, in which biological variables, hydrological conditions and socio-economic traditions come together to determine the strategic positioning of individual national supply chains. In the Blue Economy landscape, bivalve mollusc aquaculture represents a crucial sector that is divided between mature absorption basins, where domestic demand is high, and production ecosystems that are primarily export-oriented.

This dichotomy is clearly evident when observing the operational dynamics of Italy, France and Spain on the one hand, and Greece and Ireland on the other. In Italy, clam and mussel farming are based on historically rooted domestic consumption, but companies in the sector are now called upon to implement adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on production; phenomena such as anoxia in the lagoon basins of the Upper Adriatic and the proliferation of invasive non-native species are forcing a review of risk management models and a push towards quality certification to defend the profit margins of the fresh product.

The French system is complementary in terms of market maturity, but divergent in terms of business model, and represents the European benchmark for the promotion of the raw product. French oyster farming bases its competitive advantage on the concept of "merroir". Merroir is the marine equivalent of the "terroir" of wine.

The term describes how the unique habitat in which a mollusc grows – including currents, temperature, salinity and phytoplankton – determines its flavour, texture and mineral nuances. A synergistic interaction between local hydrodynamics, trophic availability of phytoplankton and maturation techniques in the transition basins. This bio-cultural approach allows for strong commercial segmentation based on condition and size indices, while also facilitating disintermediation of the logistics chain through direct sales channels that maximise the return on investment for the individual farmer. Moving to the Iberian Peninsula, Spain offers an industrial paradigm based on economies of scale and vertical integration of the supply chain. Taking advantage of the high primary productivity guaranteed by the upwelling phenomena in the Galician rías, the suspended farming systems generate impressive biomass volumes, the absorption of which is guaranteed not only by the massive consumption in the catering sector, but above all by a structured canning industry. The latter acts as a thermal and temporal stabiliser for the product, extending its shelf life and transforming production surpluses into high added-value products, ensuring exceptional resilience to the shocks of fresh produce logistics. In terms of countries with a markedly export-oriented vocation, Greece is one of the main hubs for the supply of bivalve biomass for the Mediterranean basin. Benefiting from favourable oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of Thermaikos, Greek mussel farming produces significant volumes which, given the limited domestic market, are mainly exported as a bulk product to shipping centres in Italy and Spain.

The strategic update for this sector lies in the transition from a raw material export approach to a model based on in situ processing, through the implementation of local relaying and purification centres that allow the added value to be retained within national borders. Finally, Ireland represents excellence in niche exports, based on maintaining a high level of ecological quality in its coastal waters. Irish production, developed on low- impact offshore and intertidal facilities, is only partly aimed at the domestic market, targeting markets such as France and Asia, thanks to the absence of significant anthropogenic pressures and the adoption of strict environmental sustainability and phytosanitary monitoring protocols. Observation of these five countries and their operating models within the European regulatory framework shows that the future competitiveness of aquaculture businesses is inextricably linked to their capacity for ecological and digital transition. The resilience of the supply chain will require the systematic adoption of technologies for IT traceability, the development of new distribution channels to bypass the vulnerabilities of the traditional sector, and the adaptive management of the carrying capacity of ecosystems in response to ocean acidification and warming, thus transforming environmental compliance from a mere regulatory constraint to the main driver towards high-margin international markets.

The pandemic has accelerated significant changes, favouring direct sales and e- commerce, especially in France and Italy.

In Spain, there has been a reorganisation of the supply chain in response to the closure of the Ho.Re.Ca. channel.

Understanding these markets requires an integrated analysis of economic, social and environmental factors.

Companies operating in multiple countries must adapt their strategies to local specificities, taking into account consumer preferences and national regulations. This approach makes it possible to seize growth opportunities and mitigate the risks associated with market instability.