The
Dutch oyster industry
Photo: Alice Barbé
Over
30 companies and individuals are involved in the oyster industry,
including oyster fishing on wild banks, cultivation and/or trade. There
are
approximately 30 licences for the oyster fishery in the common area
(wild beds) in the Eastern Scheldt. The majority of the licence holders
also lease cultivation parcels.
The
oyster industry is concentrated in the village of Yerseke along the Eastern
Scheldt. Approximately 15 companies are full-time involved in oyster cultivation
and trade. The others are also engaged in other activities, such as mussel
cultivation and inshore fishing. The oyster industry employs approximately 90
people.
Photo: Alice Barbé
Annually
an average of 1.5 million flat oysters and 30 million Pacific oysters are landed.
The value of production is subject to strong yearly fluctuations. The
total annual value averages approximately 5 million Euro. Increased demand and supply of the
Pacific oyster has caused a drop in the market price for flat oysters. Click
here for an overview of the annual landings from 1989 onwards.
Photo: Alice Barbé
The
larger part of the Dutch oyster output is exported to Belgium (50%). Other
export countries are Germany (8%), France (6%) and Italy (16%). The Dutch market share in the European Union is an
estimated 15%.