International trade of scallops slowed down during the first quarter of 2016 compared with the same period in 2015. Major buyers on the international market reduced their imports, such as China, with imports dropping by a significant 50%. This decline may be partially due to increased local production. According to SeafoodNews.com, the production of yesso scallops in the Changaï province increased by 4.9% to reach over 59 000 tonnes in the period from January to May 2016.

In the EU, scallop imports in the first quarter declined by 4% compared with the same period the year before, to total only 10 200 tonnes. In France, the largest global scallop market, year-on-year imports fell by 24% during the first quarter of 2016. Consequently, France's market share of the total EU market, declined from 38.7% to 30.4%. Peru, the historical leading supplier to the French market, decreased its market share from 42.9% in 2015 down to 18.8% in 2016, as a result of sales to France declining by a significant 67% (-1 200 tonnes).