Hiroshima Oysters Rank #1 Among Oyster Lovers; Origin, Freshness, and Price are Top Selection Criteria

Oysters are a beloved winter delicacy, enjoyed in hot pots, fried, or raw. However, choosing them at the supermarket can be confusing due to varying origins, prices, and sizes. To understand how consumers make their choices, we conducted a survey with 400 people across Japan in collaboration with Shimada Suisan, a Hiroshima oyster supplier.

60.3% of respondents stated they pay attention to the origin when purchasing oysters. This indicates that most consumers use origin as a key indicator of quality. 77.2% of those who care about origin chose Hiroshima as their preferred or most interesting source, followed by Miyagi (39.0%), Akkeshi, Hokkaido (20.7%), and Iwate (14.5%).

Regarding the image of Hiroshima oysters, 62.3% cited "famous and high name recognition," followed by "delicious taste" (54.0%) and "brand power" (40.3%). This shows that Hiroshima oysters are valued not just for their fame, but for their actual taste.

Finally, when asked what they prioritize when choosing oysters, 73.4% selected "origin," followed closely by "freshness" (68.0%), "price" (57.3%), and "size" (46.9%). Freshness is particularly critical due to health and safety concerns, as many consumers want to ensure the product is safe to eat.