OUR HERITAGE TO YOUR HANDS
Delivering premium oysters with unmatched quality and safety.
135
Years of Chesapeake
Bay Heritage
Bay Heritage
100M+
Oyster Spat
Planted Each Year
Planted Each Year
200M+
Oysters Growing
Right Now
Right Now
10,000+
Acres Under
Stewardship
Stewardship
135
Years of Chesapeake
Bay Heritage
Bay Heritage
100M+
Oyster Spat
Planted Each Year
Planted Each Year
200M+
Oysters Growing
Right Now
Right Now
10,000+
Acres Under
Stewardship
Stewardship
135
Years of Chesapeake
Bay Heritage
Bay Heritage
100M+
Oyster Spat
Planted Each Year
Planted Each Year
200M+
Oysters Growing
Right Now
Right Now
10,000+
Acres Under
Stewardship
Stewardship
Our Oysters: Crassostrea Virginica
We exclusively raise Crassostrea virginica, the native Eastern oyster of the Chesapeake Bay. Each oyster is grown in the Bay’s historic tributaries, including the Rappahannock, James, York, and Potomac rivers, using sustainable practices that preserve both flavor and environment.
Frozen Half-Shell Oysters
Hand-selected and graded oysters are harvested and quality-tested daily to ensure the finest frozen half shell available.
Shucked Oysters
Hand shucked daily and go through the same rigorous grading and selecting process as our frozen half-shell oysters.
All facilities are certified by the Virginia Department of Health, FDA, BRC, and are allergen-free. We conduct regular internal audits to ensure the highest safety processing and products.
We Stand Firm on Our Reputation
Everything we do, consider, and represent starts here.
Heritage
As one of America’s largest oyster growers and processors, our roots run deep in the Chesapeake Bay. Each year, we collectively plant over 100 million spat and nurture more than 200 million oysters across 10,000 acres of Virginia’s tributaries - a living legacy spanning more than a century.
Quality
Over a century of harvesting Mother Nature’s bounty has taught us that true quality begins with respect for nature. Every oyster we grow, process, and sell undergoes careful scrutiny to meet our uncompromising standards for taste, texture, and safety.
Consistency
A pioneer in seafood innovation, Cowart Seafood revolutionized the frozen half-shell oyster in the 1990s. Our proprietary cryogenic process locks in freshness and flavor, delivering oysters that taste freshly shucked, any time of year.
Honesty
Integrity drives every decision we make. From small distributors to national partners, we promise transparency, reliability, and the finest oysters from Chesapeake waters to your hands.
From Hatchery to Your Hands
The second-largest oyster producer on the East Coast, with full vertical integration from larvae to freezer.
Hatchery & Nursery
Oyster larvae nurtured in controlled conditions
Grow-Out
200M+ oysters cultivated across 10,000+ acres in Chesapeake tributaries
Processing
Cryogenic freezing, shucking, and hand-packing
Harvesting
Carefully selected and graded daily for peak quality
Distribution
Traceable, fresh, and consistent oysters delivered year-round
Innovation Makes Us Different
At Cowart Seafood, tradition meets cutting-edge seafood technology. Our commitment to innovation ensures every oyster delivers unmatched quality, safety, and flavor.
Proprietary Cryogenic Process:
Locks in freshness, flavor, and plumpness for our frozen half-shell oysters while reducing Vibrio to near-undetectable levels (FDA-validated, site-specific process).
Vacuum-Sealed Packaging:
Half-shell oysters are sealed on trays without rinsing or glazing, preserving natural liquor and texture for up to 2 years.
Rigorous Quality Checks:
Every shucked oyster undergoes three stages of inspection, including grading, agitation, and hand-packing, ensuring consistency and purity.
Full Vertical Integration:
From larvae to freezer, Cowart Seafood controls every stage of production - hatchery, nursery, grow-out, and processing - ensuring complete traceability and reliability.
Pioneering Frozen Half-Shells:
Introduced in the 1990s, our frozen half-shell oysters remain a benchmark in the industry, coveted by chefs and distributors nationwide.
Premium Chesapeake Oysters for Wholesale Buyers Since 1909
Fill out the form below, and our wholesale team will be in touch.
FAQs
Is there a minimum for wholesale orders?
For our Frozen Half Shell Oysters, the minimum quantity for a wholesale order is 63 cases, regardless of size.
For our Shucked Oysters, frozen or fresh, the minimum quantity for a wholesale order is 6 gallons.
How are wholesale orders shipped?
All wholesale orders are shipped on pallets via a commercial, temperature-controlled carrier.
How frequently are orders filled?
Daily, Monday through Friday. All orders are fulfilled within 24 hours.
How long will it take to receive my order?
We can provide shipping speeds to meet your needs. Depending on the delivery location and product, shipping can take 24 hours to 2-3 days.
What do I do with the oysters upon receipt?
Frozen Half Shell Oysters – Freeze immediately upon receipt. Frozen oysters can be stored for up to one year properly frozen at temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shucked Oyster – Refrigerate immediately upon receipt. Shucked oysters can be stored for up to 10 days from the shuck date at temperatures below 33-38 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do I need a loading dock to receive wholesale orders?
We only ship wholesale orders to commercial locations. A loading dock is not required for the receipt of wholesale orders, but it is strongly recommended. Our carriers do not offer lift gates or unloading assistance.
