Scientific name
Mytilus chilensis; Mytilus galloprovincialis; Mytilus edulis
Also known as
Chilean mussel, Mediterranean mussel, blue mussel, moules de bouchot, cozze, mejillón
Main origins
Chile, Italy, Spain, France
Availability
Year round (frozen)
Overview
About Mussels
Mussels are filter feeding bivalves farmed on ropes, rafts or wooden stakes in sheltered coastal waters. Chilean mussels are grown on longlines in southern Chile, Mediterranean mussels on longlines and rafts in Italy and Spain, and blue mussels on bouchot stakes in France. The meat is tender with a sweet, briny flavour.
Chile is the leading exporter of frozen mussels, with whole cooked, half shell and cooked meat shipped in IQF form. Spain (Galicia) and Italy are major Mediterranean mussel producers, and France is known for bouchot mussels. Uses include foodservice, ready meals, paella, pasta and retail packs.
Key points
- Chilean frozen trade, IQF
- Whole, half shell or meat
- Graded in pieces per kg
- Galician and French bouchot specialities
Origins
Where it comes from
Chile
Mytilus chilensis farmed on longlines in the Los Lagos region and exported mainly frozen as whole cooked, half shell and cooked meat.
Spain and Italy
Mytilus galloprovincialis grown on rafts in the Galician rías and on longlines along the Italian coast, supplied live and processed.
France
Mytilus edulis grown on bouchot stakes in Brittany, Normandy and the Atlantic coast, mainly sold live and chilled.
Available origins vary through the year. Contact us for current availability.
Specifications
Available formats
| Product forms | Frozen whole cooked in shell, half shell, cooked meat; live and chilled whole (Europe) |
| Sizes | Cooked meat 100/200, 200/300, 300/500 pcs/kg; whole and half shell 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 pcs/kg |
| Freezing | IQF with protective glaze; net weight declared |
| Packing | 10 kg bulk cartons or 10 x 1 kg bags; vacuum packs for whole cooked; live in net bags |
| Availability | Frozen year round; live European supply varies by region |
| Certifications | ASC at certified Chilean farms; PDO Mexillón de Galicia; TSG and AOP for French bouchot mussels; BRC or IFS processors |
Size ranges and glaze levels vary by producer and should be confirmed on each offer. Specifications are typical for the trade and vary by origin and supplier. We source to your exact requirements.
Interested in Mussels?
Send us your specification, volumes and destination and we will come back to you with suitable offers.