Aw shucks… the price of oysters is rising and restaurants won’t be shy to pass on the costs

The rising cost of oysters is about to hit mollusc lovers for a pretty penny.

Oyster distributors have already raised prices from $15 to $18 per dozen, which will no doubt be passed on from restaurants and supermarkets to seafood eaters over Christmas.

Difficulties in farming due to flooding and bacteria outbreaks are having an enormous impact on the industry.

"Wetter and changed weather patterns have resulted in higher mortality and a slower growth rate for oysters," oyster farmer and East 33 member Brad Verdich told The Australian.

East 33, Australia's biggest Sydney rock oyster producer, supplier and exporter.

"East 33 is passing that $3 increase onto the farmers. We really hope it doesn't lead to dramatic price increases for consumers. Equally, I don't want to pick on restaurants as they're our partners in what we do."

Restaurants are already passing on the costs with Blu Oyster Co upping the cost of oysters on the menu by $1 – the first increase in price since 2020.

Another factor in rising costs is the supply decrease over the last few decades:

In 1976, NSW produced around 200 million rock oysters compared with the 2023 tally of around 50-70 million.

Seafood Industry Australia CEO Veronica Papacosta told The Leader that oyster eaters should brace themselves for high festive prices.

"It's been a tough season for Sydney Rock Oyster growers with the loss of the Port Stephens oyster farms and the ongoing rain events along our Eastern Coast," she said. "This will put pressure on the supply available."

Jonathan Jackson - 29-11-22