How should fresh oysters be stored to maintain quality?

Fresh oysters should be kept chilled, ideally on ice, and protected from direct contact with water to preserve their freshness.

What basic processing methods are applied to oysters before sale?

Oysters may be smoked, prepared, or preserved without smoking, following standard seafood processing practices.

Oysters are molluscs that are traded as live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine. They are consumed as a raw seafood protein.

Prices, specifications and international trade for oysters under HS 030711.

$9,476USD/t

Published reference · Jul 1, 2026

Oysters Historical Unit Values

Oysters is quoted in USD/t at FRA. Historical customs values may differ from the headline reference.

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France led reported oysters exports in 2025, at $140M.

Oysters belongs to seafood within protein and dairy. Its customs classification covers HS 030711.

Processing steps for oysters include Harvesting, Cleaning and grading, Chilling (live, fresh or chilled).

Temperature regime	Chilled
Processing steps	Harvesting Cleaning and grading Chilling (live, fresh or chilled) Optional freezing

Oysters is used in Raw consumption, Culinary preparation, and Value‑added processing.

Raw consumption
Served fresh or chilled in restaurants and retail seafood counters
Culinary preparation
Used in cooked dishes, stews, and sauces
Value‑added processing
Further processed into canned, smoked or brined oyster products

Downstream industries	Food service and hospitality, Seafood processing and canning, Retail seafood distribution

Risk	Category	Severity	Mitigation
Bacterial contamination (Vibrio) Food safetyHigh Oysters filter feed and can concentrate harmful bacteria from water, posing a risk of foodborne illness if consumed raw or undercooked.	Food safety	High	Source oysters from approved waters, test for pathogens, and keep them alive until preparation.
Dead oyster consumption Food safetyMedium Oysters that are open and unresponsive are dead and may harbor toxins; consuming them can cause illness.	Food safety	Medium	Inspect oysters before sale; discard any that do not close when tapped.

What forms of oysters are recognized for trade?: Oysters are classified as live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, whether in the shell or not.
How should fresh oysters be stored to maintain quality?: Fresh oysters should be kept chilled, ideally on ice, and protected from direct contact with water to preserve their freshness.
What basic processing methods are applied to oysters before sale?: Oysters may be smoked, prepared, or preserved without smoking, following standard seafood processing practices.