A bushel of soft shell clams weighs approximately 48 pounds, while a bushel of hard shell clams weighs approximately 60 pounds. The weight of clams also varies based on species. According to FishChoice, the definition of a bushel might vary from one seller to the next.
In 2012, harvesters produced 6 million pounds of meat from hard-shelled clams worth close to $40 million. Farms in Virginia and Florida contributed to a greater supply of clams, which contributed to a decrease in costs, while clam harvesters in New England states gathered the creatures from wild beds. Clams are marketed under various names, including littleneck, cherrystone, quahog, and top neck.
