Put local oysters on the menu this Christmas

Australians are urged to put locally-grown oysters on their Christmas table this year and support an industry that has been hit hard recently. 

NSW Farmers Oyster Committee Chair Todd Graham said the industry was still grappling with the impacts of bushfires, floods, and a COVID-19 induced downturn in hospitality and tourism. 

“A seafood Christmas is a favourite for a lot of Aussies, so having some oysters is a no-brainer,” Mr Graham said.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the oyster industry, and we look forward to finding some semblance of normalcy.

“In the meantime, we really encourage Aussies to make oysters part of their Christmas festivities and show some love for our industry.”

Mr Graham said coastal flooding events at the start and end of the year were a big hit for the oyster industry, with producers experiencing major losses to infrastructure and produce. 

“The flooding events compounded the impacts of earlier challenges, including the devastating 2019/2020 summer bushfires and the loss of revenue streams over two COVID-19 lockdowns,” Mr Graham said.

“Thankfully we’re home to the Sydney Rock Oyster – one of the world’s best oysters – so consumers can enjoy a great product with a very stringent quality assurance program overseen by the NSW Food Authority.” 


Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Media Contact: Stephen Mudd  | 0429 011 690 | [email protected]