In Hiroshima Prefecture, which ships the most oysters in the country, the prefectural association of fishermen's cooperatives, which has a membership of about 400 oyster farmers, decided Monday to suspend shipments of raw oysters, except those that already had been reserved.
In Miyagi Prefecture, which ships the second-largest number of oysters, 21 oyster farming cooperatives will suspend shipping starting Thursday. They will then alternate suspending oyster harvesting from Friday.
According to the Hiroshima prefectural association, they will continue shipping oysters that have been or will be cooked.
After the food-poisoning outbreak came to light earlier this month, the market price and shipping volume of shelled oysters decreased by 20 percent compared with last year. Farmers also received cancelations of year-end gift orders.
Source: Daily Yomiuri