Fish and seafood, including products from aquaculture, represent the commodity that is most largely traded internationally, with a major contributions from developing countries. On the other hand, over 75% of the exported fish and seafood is destined for only three major markets: the European Union, Japan and the USA. These 3 markets are characterized by stringent and exacting requirements for food safety in order to protect consumer health. In 2007, molluscan shellfish represented only 10% of the total world fish and seafood production, but represented 23% in volume and 14% in value of the total world aquaculture production. World bivalve production has increased substantially for many years, from nearly 1 million tons in 1950 to over 14 million tons in 2007. This growth is mainly due to the increase in aquaculture production, which was particularly rapid during the 1990s. Likewise, molluscan shellfish products are widely traded regionally and internationally as live, fresh, frozen or ready to eat products. World exports of molluscan shellfish have increased steadily in the last 30 years, from 124 000 tons (t), worth US$ 140 million in 1976, to 521 000 t, worth US$ 2 111 million in 2007. The main exported species are mussels (287 000 t), clams and arkshells (87 100 t), scallops and pectens (87 700 t), and oysters (59 200 t). Market access requirements for molluscan shellfish have evolved over the years, especially in relation to consumer and environmental protection. They encompass requirements for monitoring harvesting areas, product certification and traceability, and require pure and applied sciences to ensure the reliability of the methods, surveillance programs and standards used. Research is also needed to ensure that these market requirements are well founded and do not represent disguised technical barriers to trade. A review is made here of trends in global molluscan shellfish production and trade, and the international regulatory framework that underpins the management of safety of molluscan shellfish, including key international initiatives undertaken to harmonize scientifically based control and surveillance approaches to facilitate trade of safe molluscan shellfish.