NEW YORK — At Fishtown Seafood, the owner, Bryan Szeliga, is facing uncertainty over the availability of oysters. Operating multiple outlets in Philadelphia and Haddonfield, NJ, Szeliga specializes in various seafood items, but the demand for oysters is paramount to his business, with 60% to 70% sourced from Canada.
The Trump administration’s fluctuating 25% tariffs on Canadian imports have left Szeliga unsettled. These tariffs, initially effective Tuesday, were paused for a month soon after, causing difficulty in business planning. If re-imposed, they could lead to increased prices and reduced oyster options for customers.
“It’s challenging to strategize when there is no certainty about future policies,” Szeliga expressed. “This unpredictability is a major concern.”
Fishtown Seafood was established four years ago and caters to both retail customers and restaurant wholesalers. While some U.S. products are purchased directly from fish farms, Canadian oysters are acquired via dealers.
“They’re large-scale distributors for various seafood producers nationwide,” he explained, emphasizing that Canadian oysters are favored for their size, taste, and popularity among consumers.
This week, suppliers informed Szeliga of potential price hikes. During the tariff’s brief implementation, he made a single purchase of “sweet petite” oysters from Prince Edward Island, absorbing the additional 25% cost to maintain client relations. However, with the tariff on hold, prices may temporarily stabilize.
The month-long reprieve allows Szeliga to revise inventory strategies and collaborate with clients on less tariff-impacted menus, possibly by opting for domestic or more affordable Canadian oysters.
“With a clearer understanding, we can create menus to avoid future disruption,” he stated. “Even if prices decrease, we’re preparing for eventual increases once tariffs are reinstated.” Szeliga intends to consult clients about adaptable product choices.
The entire oyster market faces potential disruption. Despite oysters being a small portion of the U.S.’s $25.5 billion seafood market, demand is rising. Canada, the leading seafood supplier to the U.S., exported $3.96 billion in seafood to the U.S. in 2024, marking a 10% increase from 2023. Oysters joined the National Fisheries Institute Top 10 List for the first time in 2022.
Szeliga witnessed more eateries incorporating oysters beyond traditional oyster bars. He fears this growth may stall.
“I fear it will diminish the positive trajectory of this growing market,” he remarked.
To adapt, Szeliga anticipates reducing the oyster variety in his store from 12 types to around 10, still aiming to provide a selection of high and low-cost options, even if it excludes top-tier choices.
Sourcing only domestically isn’t feasible; while the U.S. has many oyster varieties, Canadian oysters dominate. Local production is at its peak, with oysters requiring years to harvest, meaning prior expansions would have been needed to utilize current opportunities.
There’s concern Canadian producers might restrict U.S. supply due to tariff unpredictability.
Ultimately, customers can expect fewer options and higher prices, with some “value” items possibly maintaining increased costs even after the tariffs are withdrawn.
“Some products were budget-friendly before, but pricing adjustments may not revert,” he noted, hinting at permanent price shifts.
