Conference paper
Croatian and European market for oysters
Esme Marčelja
Beti Bigunac
Branko Glamuzina
Abstract
The Bay of Mali Ston had from the Antiquity a tradition of cultivating and growing shellfish, predominantly the highly esteemed European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis,. This species is accessible only in very limited quantities on the European market. The dominating species, although its quality is considered lower, is the Pacific or Japanese oyster, Crassostrea gigas, introduced in Europe a few decades ago due to its resistance to certain diseases. The official production figures for oysters in 2003. in the Bay of Mali Ston were about 700.000 pieces. 90 % are consumed in the region, while 10 % go to other parts of Croatia. European production of all oyster species is about 150.000 t on a yearly basis, France leading with 90 %. France is also the dominating consumer and exporter of all oyster species, as well as the main producer and importer of the European flat oyster. Italy is the main importer of all oyster species in Europe. The production of oysters and other products from mariculture is one of the industries that financially has the best perspectives in the region around the Mali Ston Bay. If the oyster production could be increased as planned, through technological improvement in oyster culturing and spat production, together with well conceived marketing strategies incorporating quality control and certification or designation labels guaranteeing the exclusivity of the oysters from the Mali Ston Bay, the possibilities of successful export of Croatian oysters to European countries are realistic. Due to the appreciation of the European oyster, France would be the most probable importer.
Keywords
oysters; Ostrea edulis; Mali Ston Bay; mariculture; European oyster market
Hrčak ID:
8498
URI
Publication date:
26.2.2004.
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