Many of the oysters from the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada were in tight supply in February and early March because of ice and cold.
Maine oyster growers are also concerned about supply after the MSX parasite killed a portion of the oysters grown in the Damariscotta River, home to some of Maine’s most productive oyster beds, last summer. Oyster bed leaseholders are anxious to find out what damage MSX has caused over the winter.
However, overall oyster prices remained fairly steady on lower demand.
“People weren’t spending money that freely, because the weather was so severe,” said one East Coast wholesaler.
Prince Edward Island oysters were selling for between USD 50 and USD 60 for 100-count cases wholesale, while wild oysters out of Virginia averaged USD 25 to USD 30. Farmed Virginia oysters were selling for USD 45 to USD 55, on average.
“Every year at this time of year, people run out or get iced over. You have to prepare for not having as much variety,” said one Northeast wholesaler. Still, other buyers report having steady supply from Canada and the Mid-Atlantic.
“There seems to be plenty of supply around for what the marketplace needs. With all the different varieties of oysters, restaurants don’t get as hung up with one variety like they used to. There is a little more flexibility,” said one buyer.
“I am not seeing shortages [in Virginia],” added another wholesaler. “In my area, we are getting higher demand because oysters seem to be gaining in popularity.”
The wholesaler said that demand is higher because consumers want to eat more local seafood. In addition, consumers are seeking more variety, and like to try a half dozen of one type of oyster, and a half dozen of anothertype.
Meanwhile, wholesalers say prices are not much higher than the same time last year because oyster prices in general stay fairly steady. “It isn’t like lobster or soft-shell crabs, were you will see a greater fluctuation from week to week or day to day. An oyster that was 80 cents in September is still pretty much 80 cents today,” said the wholesaler.
Meanwhile, oyster production in the Maritime provinces is expected to pick up again mid-month.
