Virginia had its highest oyster yield in decades in 2023

Why it matters: A few decades ago, oyster farming in Virginia was all but dead due to disease and overharvesting.

• The industry was well on its way to a recovery when the pandemic hit, and Virginia oyster farmers saw their sales drop by 95-99%, Virginia Mercury reported.

But it's back, baby.

Today, Virginia is the top-selling oyster state on the East Coast and among the biggest producers in the nation, according to thelatest data from the Department of Agriculture.

By the numbers: Virginia's seafood industry contributes more than $1.1 billion to the state's economy, according to the latest figures from the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

• Oyster sales in the state top $60 million, per USDA.
• And the state boasts around 134 active oyster farms, up from 60 a decade ago.

The bottom line: Oysters are big business in the Old D.

• And more oyster harvests mean more oysters to eat.