LES HUITRES CADORET

What LES HUITRES CADORET does

Les Huitres Cadoret is a fifth-generation family-owned French oyster farming company founded in 1880 in Riec-sur-Belon, Brittany, by François Cadoret and currently led by Jean-Jacques Cadoret (5th generation). The company cultivates premium flat oysters (Huîtres plates du Bélon), rock oysters (La Fine de Bretagne), and special oysters (La Perle Noire) using traditional on-bottom cultivation methods with a dual-stage affinage process: an initial refinement in Carantec foreshore parks followed by a second 2-month affinage in the Bélon River that produces the oysters' characteristic chestnut flavor. Cadoret serves three customer segments: high-end restaurants and luxury hotels internationally (including Michelin-starred establishments such as Yannick Alleno's Le Pavillon Ledoyen, Arnaud Donckele's Plénitude at Cheval Blanc, Paul Pairet's Ultraviolet in Shanghai, and Olivier Bellin's Auberge des Glazicks), premium consumers via direct e-commerce and on-site sales, and patrons of the family's own bistros L'Écailler du Bistrot in Paris and Le Bistrot de l'Écailler in Kerdruc.

The core product portfolio spans three oyster categories requiring 3-4 year cultivation cycles, complemented by a branded accessories line (oyster knives including the Swiss-made Sknife, recycled-shell-handle knives, leather and organic cotton aprons, hooded sweatshirts, tote bags, and the Coffret Découverte gift box at €43). A separate sub-brand, 5DO (5 Degrés Ouest), was developed in 2010 by Jean-Jacques Cadoret and his cousin Alexis Taugé; it combines cold-shelling with cryogenic nitrogen freezing to extract and preserve fresh shellfish and crustacean meat for chefs worldwide. The "5°DO" designation also functions as a protected-origin marker for products grown and refined in the Bélon River area. No patents are disclosed; the 5DO process is described as proprietary.

Revenue derives from three main streams: B2B export sales to fine dining establishments (60% of revenue across Europe, Asia, Middle-East, and Africa), direct-to-consumer e-commerce via huitres-cadoret.fr with Chronopost delivery in 24-48 hours, and on-site plus family-bistro sales. Pricing is unit-based on oyster caliber and quantity, ranging from €56.80 to €248.50 per box. Operations span three sites — Riec-sur-Belon headquarters, Carantec production, and family bistros — with 60 permanent employees year-round rising to 200+ during the Christmas season. Annual turnover exceeds €10 million; there is no disclosed external funding, and the company remains entirely family-controlled as an SAS domiciled in Quimper, Brittany.

Name

LES HUITRES CADORET

Legal name

SAS LES HUITRES CADORET

Website

https://huitres-cadoret.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1880

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Les Huitres Cadoret is a fifth-generation, family-owned Breton oyster farming company founded in 1880, producing premium flat, rock, and special oysters for Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, premium consumers via e-commerce, and its own Paris and Brittany bistros.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Oyster Production and Seafood

NAICS

Shellfish Farming (112512), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Shellfish Farming (e.g., oysters, mussels, clams) (AFAEAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shellfish Value-Added Products (Shucked Oysters, Mussels, Clams; Cooked/Marinated) (AFANALAK), Shellfish Wholesale (Crustaceans & Mollusks) (AFAIADAF)

Keywords

• Premium oyster farming
• Flat oyster cultivation
• Oyster affinage process
• Breton seafood production
• Cryogenic shellfish processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Riec-sur-Bélon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Oyster Product Sales: Direct sales of flat oysters (Plate du Bélon), rock oysters (Fine de Bretagne, Spéciale de Bretagne), and special oysters (Perle Noire) to consumers via e-commerce and direct on-site sales, and to restaurants/hotels via B2B channels. 60% of revenue from export markets including Europe, Asia, Middle-East, and Africa.
2. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online shop selling oysters, accessories (oyster knives, gloves, aprons), textile products, and gift boxes with free shipping (except Corsica) via Chronopost delivery within 24-48 hours.
3. Restaurant Sales (B2B): Supply of premium oysters to fine dining establishments including Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotel groups. Family's own bistros (L'Écailler du Bistrot in Paris, Le Bistrot de l'Écailler in Kerdruc) also serve as direct sales channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LES HUITRES CADORET is a fifth-generation family oyster farming operation founded in 1880 in Riec-sur-Bélon, Brittany, that cultivates, refines, and sells premium oysters — Huîtres plates du Bélon (flat oysters), La Fine de Bretagne (rock oysters), and La Perle Noire (special oysters). The company operates traditional on-bottom cultivation and a dual affinage process (Carantec foreshore then Bélon River), and sells through its own e-commerce shop, on-site sales, family bistros, and B2B channels to fine-dining restaurants and luxury hotels worldwide. It also markets the 5DO cryogenic shellfish processing sub-brand and a branded range of oyster knives, protective gear, apparel, and gift boxes.

Product overview

LES HUITRES CADORET is a fifth-generation family oyster farming company founded in 1880, specializing in premium oysters from Brittany, France. The product portfolio centers on three core oyster categories: Huîtres plates du Belon (flat oysters aged in the Bélon River), La Fine de Bretagne (rock oysters refined in Carantec), and La Perle Noire (special 4-year oysters with nutty flavor). The company also offers a gift box collection (Coffret découverte) combining oysters with accessories, and a branded accessories line including premium oyster knives (Sknife®, recycled shell handles, wooden handles), protective gear (aprons, gloves), and textile items (sweatshirts, t-shirts, tote bags). An innovative sub-brand, 5 DO, provides a cryogenic shellfish processing service for chefs worldwide. The company operates direct sales from their Riec-sur-Bélon establishment and exports 60% of production to Europe and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 5DO (5 Degrés Ouest): Innovative shellfish shelling and cryogenization process developed by Jean-Jacques Cadoret and Alexis Taugé, preserving the fresh meat of shellfish and crustaceans frozen with nitrogen for exceptional gastronomy.

Products and services

• Huîtres plates du Bélon (Flat Oysters) Premium flat oysters cultivated for 3 years, first refined in Carantec foreshore parks then aged for 2 months in the Bélon River, giving them their characteristic chestnut taste. Sold to consumers via e-commerce and direct on-site sales, and to fine dining establishments via B2B channels. Available in calibers TTG 000, TG 00, G, 1, M, 3, P, 4-5.
• La Fine de Bretagne (Rock Oyster) Rock oysters cultivated for 3 years in the deep waters of Carantec Bay, then refined for 6 months on specific high parks. Available in N2 and N3 calibers in packs of 96, 48, 100, or 50 pieces.
• La Perle Noire (Special Oyster) Special oysters cultivated for 4 years in deep waters then transferred to foreshore parks in Carantec; at maturity the flesh is firm, crunchy and very thick with a distinctive hazelnut taste and slight sweet aftertaste. Available in N2 and N3 calibers.
• Coffret 12 huîtres et accessoires (Discovery Gift Box) Discovery gift box containing 6 Perle Noire N°3 oysters, 6 Fine de Bretagne N°3 oysters, 1 protective glove, and 1 recycled plastic oyster knife, packaged in a sliding wooden case measuring 48 x 18 x 6 cm. Targeted at consumer gifting and tasting.
• Couteau à huîtres Sknife® Swiss-made oyster knife in surgical steel with 4x higher corrosion resistance and 58 HRC hardness. Used by world oyster opening champion Marcel Lesoille as his primary tool.
• Couteau à huîtres (coquilles recyclées) Oyster knife with a handle made from recycled oyster or mussel shells, supplied with a leather sheath. Custom-made with approximately 15-day manufacturing lead time.
• Couteau à huîtres manche bois Oyster knife with a wooden handle and stainless steel blade.
• Couteau à huîtres manche noir Oyster knife with black handle made from recycled plastic, with rivets and a hardened stainless steel blade.
• Tablier en cuir (Leather Apron) Full cowhide leather apron that is stain-, heat-, and moisture-resistant, with an adjustable strap and protection extending to mid-leg.
• Tablier en coton bio (Organic Cotton Apron) Organic cotton apron certified STANDARD 100, with large front pocket, recycled-plastic neck loop, and dimensions H 90cm x L 76cm. Machine washable at 60°.
• Sweat à capuche Cadoret (Hooded Sweatshirt) Unisex hooded sweatshirt made from 85% organic ring-spun combed cotton and 15% recycled polyester (280 g/m²), with jersey-lined hood, flatlock stitching, kangaroo pocket, Cadoret front logo, and back text about climate change.
• T-shirt Cadoret recyclé blanc cassé T-shirt made from recycled fibers with a 1x1 ribbed collar and double stitching on sleeve and body hems.
• Carnet (Cork-covered Notebook) A5 cork-covered notebook with 96 lined pages, an elastic pen loop, and an elastic closure band.
• Stylo (Cadoret Ballpoint Pen) Push-button ballpoint pen with body made from cork, 50% wheat straw, and 50% recycled ABS plastic; blue ink.
• Mug Cadoret Branded mug featuring the Cadoret oyster color palette.
• Tote bag en tissu (Cadoret Fabric Tote Bag) Fabric tote bag with Cadoret branding.
• Protège main (Ergonomic Hand Protector) Ergonomic hand protector for safely opening oysters, with ecological design requiring only rinsing in clear water.
• 5DO (5 Degrés Ouest) Cryogenic Shellfish Processing Innovative shellfish and crustacean shelling and cryogenic nitrogen-freezing service developed by Jean-Jacques Cadoret and Alexis Taugé. Fresh meat is extracted raw and flash-frozen with nitrogen, preserving the entire flavor, and supplied to chefs worldwide for high-end gastronomy applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% of €10M+ annual revenue from export markets

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Indoguna (Cambodia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2024Exclusive distributor partner in Cambodia organizing tasting events and promotional activities for Cadoret products. November 2024 events at Sofitel Phnom Penh and Indoguna Cambodia showcasing Cadoret oysters to local hospitality industry.
• Gourmet Cuisine (Hong Kong)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing distribution partner in Hong Kong organizing regular tasting events and demonstrations with local chefs and restaurants. Hosted events at Sheraton Hong Kong, Palco Ristorante, and Luma HK.
• Marcel Lesoille (Oyster Opening Champion)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld record holder for oyster opening (2064 oysters in one hour) serving as brand ambassador for Cadoret oyster knives, particularly Sknife products. Demonstrations at luxury hotels in Macau (Galaxy Hotel, The Apron) showcase Cadoret products.
• Alexis Taugé (Cousin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint innovator and co-developer of 5DO cryogenic shellfish processing technology alongside Jean-Jacques Cadoret. Partnership combining traditional expertise with innovation for product development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fauchon: French luxury food house offering gourmet products including seafood, gift boxes, and delicatessen items. Comparable in premium French food positioning, gift-box distribution, and luxury hospitality clientele, though broader than oysters alone.
• Petrossian: Paris-based luxury seafood specialist (caviar, smoked fish, shellfish) with a global retail and delivery network. Comparable as a premium French seafood brand with similar fine-dining and luxury consumer clientele, though broader in category.

Direct peers

• Huîtres Belon: Producer and brand historically associated with the Bélon flat oyster appellation. Highly comparable as a regional competitor sharing the same Bélon terroir and heritage positioning.
• Huîtres Geay: Premium French oyster producer from Marennes-Oléron with a long heritage and similar direct-to-consumer, B2B fine-dining, and export distribution model. Comparable in scale, heritage, and product category (flat and rock oysters).
• Gillardeau: The most iconic premium French oyster brand, also family-run and producer-affinated, with similar Michelin-starred fine-dining positioning and export footprint. Closest direct competitor to Cadoret in the top tier of French oyster producers.
• Huîtres Tarbouriech: Mediterranean oyster producer renowned for innovation in cultivation techniques and premium positioning. Comparable in its combination of traditional know-how, innovation-led branding (e.g., 'Solar Tide' maturation), and chef-focused distribution.
• Huîtres Target: Long-established French oyster producer from Brittany with deep heritage and direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution. Comparable in regional production, family heritage, and B2B fine-dining focus.
• Huîtres Richard: French oyster producer with Brittany/Marennes origins supplying both retail and B2B channels. Comparable in heritage, premium positioning, and multi-channel distribution.

Regional players

• Marennes-Oléron oyster producers: Cluster of producers and cooperatives in the Marennes-Oléron basin, the other major French oyster appellation. Comparable in oyster farming, fine-dining supply, and export reach, but with a different terroir and largely cooperative-driven distribution.

Emerging players

• Island Creek Oysters: US-based premium oyster producer with strong chef relationships, DTC e-commerce, and consumer brand marketing. Comparable in premium positioning, direct-to-consumer and B2B chef distribution, and brand-building approach, though geographically distant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/leshuitrescadoret
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-huitres-cadoret

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LES HUITRES CADORET