From Karuah, Lemon Tree Passage to Nelson Bay - there's no shortage of places you can grab Port Stephens farmed oysters for Christmas

The pioneering Holbert family has been growing and processing their award-winning rock oysters for more than five generations, and distributing them to wholesalers, supermarkets, local restaurants and seafood outlets.

The business has its own retail outlet, which stocks a range of freshly grown seafood including prawns, located in Diemars Road at Salamander Bay, and owner Guy Holbert said that staff were preparing for another "hectic" Christmas and New Year season, despite the uncertainty of the pandemic.

"We did have some disruptions caused by the COVID-19 restrictions, which impacted on our restaurant supply, but the production side hasn't stopped," he said.

"While the retail section did drop off somewhat, demand for seafood, particularly oysters and prawns, has now returned to its peak and we are expecting a huge influx of expected visitors, particularly with the surge in domestic tourism in Port Stephens.

"And of course we are forever grateful for the continued support we receive all year round from the local Port Stephens community."

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NSW Farmers Oyster Committee Chair Todd Graham was encouraging Australians to put locally-grown oysters on their Christmas table this year to support the industry that has been hit in the last two years by bushfires, floods, and a COVID-19 induced downturn in hospitality and tourism.

"We really encourage Aussies to make oysters part of their Christmas festivities and show some love for our industry."

Mr Holbert said that the latest outbreak of the virus - the Omicron variant - had not deterred their resolve, and he has assured the public that there were plenty of locally farmed oysters ready for sale.

"We have plenty of stock ... we never run out," he declared.

"The heavy rain event earlier in the month had us a little worried because we were forced to cease harvest for about a week, but it has passed and the weather window for the next month looks favourable.

"In actual fact our oysters are looking their best and our prices are pretty much the same as last year."

Holberts Oyster Supplies is located at 5 Diemars Road and is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 7am to 5pm weekdays, and 9am to 5pm on weekends.

The retail outlet is fully licensed, and the operation carries a range of premium beers and wines.

Holberts has expanded its business considerably over more recent years to become one of, if not, the biggest processor of oysters in NSW. This expansion has seen their product sent right across NSW, interstate and to bigger export markets.

A key to their expansion was the opening of the new waterfront outlet on the shores of Cromarty Bay.

The premises have been designed with customer needs in mind, where they can view through large windows the pro oyster shuckers at work, then take their purchase away or eat alfresco style.

Oysters can also be bought directly from farmers in Karuah, near Longworth Park, and in Lemon Tree Passage, along along Oyster Farm Road, plus seafood stores throughout Port Stephens.

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