Canadian sales of fresh farmed oysters to the US surge in 2022
US trade data released last week show strong demand for fresh, farm-raised oysters in 2022. With the December sales data in, the full year data show that US imports jumped 26% in real terms from the previous year- and Canada saw a huge part of the gains. Overall, Canadian shipments to our Southern neighbour soared 56% in volume terms reaching an all- time high of 5, 447 Tonnes, or $US 57.6 million.
Download US Imports Trade Flash - December 2022 (XLS @ 11KB): Explore data for various farmed seafood imports into the US.
There are several oyster products imported into the US- including fresh, canned, frozen and dried. The most popular- by far – is fresh, farmed oysters, which accounted for almost half of all oyster product imports in 2022 (followed in distant second by smoked canned oysters at 24%). Canadian producers are the top exporters globally to the US, with market share for this segment at 66% of volume shipments- and an even higher share of 81% in value terms; Mexico accounts for the balance, taking about 18% of US sales in 2022. Proximity to the massive US market and reputation for quality are huge competitive advantages for Canada.
Fresh, farm-raised Oysters are a significant and growing share of the aquaculture sector’s production and accounted for 10% of the sector (by volume) in 2021. Significant growth potential has been identified for both BC and Atlantic Canada.