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Australian Scallops vs Imported

Roe-on Australian scallops from Bass Strait and Hervey Bay vs imported scallops from Asia, USA, and Peru — often water-injected.

Side-by-side

Australia
Australian Roe-on Scallops
Bass Strait / Hervey Bay
🇦🇺 Local
Water injection (STPP)None
Roe retainedYes
Frozen-thawed cyclesMinimal
Stock-status reportsYes
Price per kg~$70
Overall rating: Australian Scallops score 9.3/10 — roe-on, no additives, premium.
vs
Various
Imported Scallops
Japan / China / USA / Peru
Water injection (STPP)Common
Roe retainedUsually removed
Frozen-thawed cyclesCommon
Stock-status reportsVariable
Price per kg~$45
Overall rating: Imported Scallops score 5.6/10 — often water-injected and roe-off.

Nutrition (per 100g)

How Australian Scallops compares to imported equivalents on key nutrients.

Protein17.8g15.2g
Selenium38µg26µg
Vitamin B121.6µg1µg
Omega-3 Fatty Acids380mg240mg
Iron2.4mg1.6mg

Price context

Why is the imported product cheaper?

Imported scallops (Japan, China, Peru) are cheaper at scale. Australian scallops (saucer, queen) are premium-priced.

Quality & integrity

Welfare & ethics

Australia: Diver-caught or trawl-caught with low impact

Imported: Variable; some intensive bottom-trawl

Mislabelling risk

Australia: Low

Imported: Moderate — added water and STPP common abroad

Bottom line

Bottom line

Australian scallops have superior cold-chain and no STPP injection — premium-priced for a reason.

Sources

Sources cited on this page

  1. Chemicals in food — surveillance and standardsFood Standards Australia New Zealand, 2024
  2. Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2025Australian Government — Federal Register of Legislation, 2025
    Becomes enforceable 1 July 2026 for seafood for immediate consumption.

Read the full Australian Scallops profile →