Oyster Industry Profile

Oysters are considered as one of the most valuable bivalve mollusks in the Philippines. Aside from providing a decent income for shellfish farmers, oysters are known to be an excellent source of protein and minerals essential to the human diet. They are also popularly served in hotels and restaurants. The Philippines produced over 53 thousand metric tons (MT) of oysters in 2020, with its value reaching P1 billion. Bulacan is the top producer with a total of over 53 thousand MT. This is followed by Capiz and Negros Occidental with oyster production of 8 thousand MT and 1.4 thousand MT, respectively.

Oyster farming is considered traditional and conservative in the country as seeds are collected from the wild. Oyster seeds are collected during natural ‘spatfall,’ which occurs a few weeks after the onset of the rainy season when water salinity is reduced. Wild spats, which are oyster in larval stage, settle on oyster shells, coconut shells, bamboo, stones, empty rubber tires, and other hard materials. Oyster hatchery depends on the species to be produced, target production, geographical location and funds available. Some small hatcheries supply seedstock for their oyster culture operations, while other large hatcheries produce for their operations and retail to other growers. Spat, 2–3 millimeters (mm) in size, are produced in hatchery and nursery facilities. Further, bigger size spat are expensive due to the need to culture more and diverse species of microalgae for feeding.

Problems in the Industry

The Philippine oyster industry has limited seed stocks and sources of broodstock as spat are gathered from the wild. Data on the quality oyster varieties for culture is also lacking. There is a need to improve broodstock management and conditioning, and hatchery production to increase the currently low meat yield of oysters.

marine oyster

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

Oyster Policies

ISP for Oyster

The Oyster ISP enhances local production by promoting sustainable, environment-friendly culture methods such as refined raft, longline, pouch, and tray systems. These innovations reduce the culture period to 7 months and ensure safe, high-quality oysters, particularly in Capiz and Aklan. Key goals include increasing meat yield from 14% to 35%, improving survival rates to 96–99%, and boosting national oyster production by 50–80% for both domestic and export markets.

Strategic R&D

Strategic R&D is DOST-PCAARRD’s banner program comprising all R&D activities that are intended to generate outputs geared towards maximum economic and social benefits

Technologies

Products, equipment, and protocols or process innovations developed to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and profitability in the agriculture and aquatic industries, and to achieve sustainable utilization and management of natural resources

  • refined raft
    Published On: November 16, 2022

    SEAFDEC, UPV, and Samar State University (SSU), in collaboration with DOST-PCAARRD, improves local production and produce safe and quality oyster harvest.  With the refined raft...

  • pouch and tray
    Published On: November 16, 2022

    Tray Pouch The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), and SSU in collaboration with DOST-PCAARRD, improves local production and...

Technology Transfer Initiatives

Technology Transfer  initatives ensure that the outputs of R&D and innovations are transformed into viable and applicable technologies that help intended users.

  • PET Bottle sample
    Published On: November 28, 2023

    The PET bottles we used to collect spat are now being used in Palawan and Capiz, pouches were used by Prof. Capinpin in Pangasinan

Capacity Building

Capacity building efforts of DOST-PCAARRD seek to develop and enhance the R&D capabilities of researchers and academic or research institutions through graduate assistantships, non-degree trainings & development, and/or upgrading of research facilities.

Manpower Development
  • training course

    Training Course in Ivisan, Capiz

  • summit

    Oyster Summit in Iloilo City

  • training

    Training on Oyster Farming

Policy Research & Advocacy

Analysis of policy concerns and advocacy of science-informed policies ensures that the AANR policy environment is conducive for S&T development and investments.

  • Competitiveness of Philippine Oyster Industry under the ASEAN Economic Community

    Oyster production in the Philippines was found to be competitive in both export trade and import substitution scenarios. The Philippines’ oysters are competitive with oysters produced in other countries and exporting them can boost foreign exchange in the country. Further, the production cost of oysters locally is cheaper compared to the production cost of imported oysters.

    Reference(s):

    Andal, E. G., Lapiña, G. F., Manalo, N. Q., Dorado, R. A. Valientes, R. M., & Cruz, M. B. (2017). ASEAN Economic Community: Opportunities and Challenges for the Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry Sectors. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines: Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development – (Project Report)