Oysters Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Key Points

• Research suggests oyster prices in the US from 2020 to 2025 vary by type and region, with limited comprehensive data.

• Export prices indicate a range of $6.87–$7.67 per kg from 2020 to 2024, with 2025 data less clear.

• Retail prices in early 2025 are around $15.56 per kg for live oysters, based on $14 per dozen.

Overview

Oyster prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025 have varied, but exact historical data is not fully available from a single source. Based on export prices, which reflect market trends, prices ranged from $6.87 to $7.67 per kilogram between 2020 and 2024. For example, in 2020, the export price was about $7.52 per kg, increasing to $7.67 per kg in 2021, then dropping to $6.87 per kg in 2022, with predictions of $7.00 per kg in 2023 and $7.67 per kg in 2024. For 2025, specific data is limited, but current retail prices for live oysters are around $15.56 per kg, based on a cost of $14 per dozen (assuming each oyster weighs about 75g).

Regional and Market Variations

Prices can differ significantly by region, such as the Gulf Coast or East Coast, due to local production and demand. Wholesale or dockside prices are harder to pinpoint without specialized reports, but export prices provide a general indicator. An unexpected detail is that oyster prices can spike due to environmental factors, like supply shortages from coastal salinity changes, affecting availability and cost.

Background and Market Context

Oysters are a valuable seafood commodity in the US, with significant production along the East Coast (e.g., Chesapeake Bay), Gulf Coast (e.g., Texas, Louisiana), and West Coast (e.g., Washington, California). Prices can vary widely depending on factors such as harvest season, environmental conditions, and demand. 

Historical Price Data

While no single source provides a complete historical dataset for oyster prices from 2020 to 2025, export price data offers a reasonable proxy for market trends. From SelinaWamucii, the export price per kilogram of oysters from the US has been documented as follows:

• 2018: $7.45

• 2019: $6.93

• 2020: $7.52

• 2021: $7.67

• 2022: $6.87

• 2023: $7.00

• 2024: $7.67

These figures are based on export data and reflect global market dynamics rather than purely domestic prices. However, they are indicative of wholesale price trends. 

Retail Price Snapshot

For retail prices, current data from SelinaWamucii shows that fishery markets in the United States sell live oysters at $14 per dozen and above, with oysters on the half shell costing double that price. Assuming an average oyster weight of 75g, a dozen (12 oysters) weighs approximately 0.9 kg, making the price per kg approximately $14 / 0.9 = $15.56 per kg. This is higher than wholesale or export prices due to retail markups and local market factors.

Additional Price Data from Other Sources

Other sources provided limited historical data:

• From ProcurementTactics, in 2022, live Pacific oysters and shucked oyster meats ranged from $8 to $12 per pound, and a dozen live Pacific oysters ranged from $7.50 to $9.15. Converting pounds to kilograms (1 lb ≈ 0.4536 kg), this is approximately $17.64 to $26.46 per kg, which aligns with retail prices but is higher than export prices.

• From Tridge, specific price entries included:

• 2024 (June 3, Maine): $1.25 per unit (unit not specified, limiting utility).

• 2020 (July 14, Buenos Aires): $1 per unit (again, unit not specified).

Current Market Conditions

As of the current date, retail prices remain around $15.56 per kg for live oysters, based on the $14 per dozen figure.Market trends suggest continued volatility due to environmental factors (e.g., coastal salinity changes affecting oyster beds) and demand fluctuations, especially during holiday seasons or in premium seafood eateries, as noted in SelinaWamucii.

Detailed Historical Data Table

Below is a table summarizing the available export price data and predictions, along with retail price for context:

This table highlights the gap in data for 2025 export prices and the reliance on retail prices for current insights.

Unexpected Insight: Market Volatility and Environmental Impact

An unexpected detail is the significant impact of environmental factors on oyster prices. For instance, articles like National Fisherman noted that in 2019, record-low supply on the Gulf Coast due to floods and drought led to higher prices, which likely influenced subsequent years. This volatility is not always captured in export price data but is crucial for understanding market dynamics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, specific historical price data for oysters in the US from 2020 to 2025 is not publicly available as a complete dataset, likely due to their niche status. Export prices provide a reasonable indicator, ranging from $6.87 to $7.67 per kg from 2020 to 2024, with predictions for 2023 and 2024. For 2025, current retail prices are approximately $15.56 per kg, based on live oysters at $14 per dozen.