Pacific oyster: buyer guide

Crassostrea gigas · Also published as Magallana gigas. · Also called Pacific cupped oyster

Reviewed 2026-10-24

Short answer

Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is usually traded as Live in shell (including half-shell trade), Shucked and frozen, Smoked or canned. Best fit: Buyers with fast cold logistics for live oysters, or buyers of processed oyster products.

A cupped oyster farmed on the bottom, on racks or in trays and nets.

A single Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in its rough, layered shell on a wooden board — Photo: W.carter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Shows the species, not a supplier's product.

General species facts, not an offer. This page describes the species and how it is usually traded. Which forms, sizes, origins and production methods a supplier can actually provide is confirmed only through a request, with documents for the exact lot.

Traded product forms: Live in shell (including half-shell trade)
Shucked and frozen
Smoked or canned
Dried, oyster sauce and other value-added products
Size, count and grade conventions: FAO notes oysters are usually harvested above 75 mm shell length at 70–100+ g live weight, and graded for size and shape; smaller oysters may be sold as 'cocktail' oysters.
Processing and handling: Oysters are washed and graded. Those from waters with faecal contamination need depuration before sale. Single oysters for the half-shell market are packed cupped valve down.
Storage and logistics: FAO gives a shelf life of seven to ten days when live oysters are properly packed and stored cool, and notes this short shelf life limits global trade in fresh product.
Seasonality: Harvesting may stop during harmful algal blooms, and oysters are usually not harvested for two to three months after spawning because of poor meat quality.
Typical applications: Live half-shell and freshly shucked oysters, plus canned, frozen and other value-added products.

Strengths

Many forms, from live to canned
Clear size and shape grading

Trade-offs

Short live shelf life
Harvest can be halted by algal blooms and after spawning
Specific bivalve mollusc rules, such as production-area classification, may apply in your market

Best fit: Buyers with fast cold logistics for live oysters, or buyers of processed oyster products.

Questions to include in your RFQ

Species and scientific name
Live, shucked, frozen or processed
Size or weight grade
Production-area classification and depuration details where required
Packing and shelf-life requirements
Volume, season and destination

Production method (farmed or wild), origin and any certification must be stated and documented by the supplier for your lot.

Request Pacific oyster through FishMatch

Or start a request for one product form:

Common buyer questions

Live in shell (including half-shell trade); Shucked and frozen; Smoked or canned; Dried, oyster sauce and other value-added products.

FAO notes oysters are usually harvested above 75 mm shell length at 70–100+ g live weight, and graded for size and shape; smaller oysters may be sold as 'cocktail' oysters.

Not from this guide. The supplier must state and document the production method, origin and any certification for your lot, and certificates should be confirmed with the issuing scheme or authority. FishMatch collects and organises those documents but does not certify products.

Related guides

Farming this species

Aquaculture planning and equipment, separate from buying the food product.

Oyster farming equipment

Source: FAO Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme – Crassostrea gigas, text by Helm, M.M., FAO (2006). Reviewed 2026-10-24. Some details in these fact sheets are historical; confirm current requirements with suppliers and authorities.

Every listing is an anonymous capability summary a producer, processor or exporter submitted and our team reviewed. Details are as stated by the supplier: they are not stock, price, quality or availability commitments, and FishMatch does not verify species, origin, production method or certifications. Requests go through FishMatch; buyers and suppliers are not put in direct contact. Managed seafood sourcing is free for buyers, for annual or seasonal programmes of USD 250,000 or more.

FishMatch Group and the other Global B2B Group platforms are committed to conducting their own activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. FishMatch facilitates sourcing and RFQs; it does not manufacture, process, export or sell the listed products and does not grant regulatory approval. Requirements differ by product and by origin, destination and transit country. As buyer or importer, you remain responsible for your own import permissions, local requirements and due diligence. This notice does not change anyone's legal duties and is not legal advice. Regulation & responsibilities