This year, the price of crayfish in mainland China has dropped significantly. According to multiple media reports, the current selling price of crayfish has fallen to 18 yuan per kilogram, almost half of the previous price of over 30 yuan per kilogram. The news of the drastic price drop of crayfish continues to draw widespread attention, repeatedly making it to the trending topics.
Crayfish is a seasonal delicacy, with a small quantity entering the market starting in March each year, followed by a gradual increase in supply. During this period, prices may fluctuate. Consumers have noticed that this year, crayfish prices started dropping early, with the overall price being lower than in previous years.
The recent sharp decline in crayfish prices has led many to start wondering: are young people no longer fond of eating crayfish? This topic once again trended on May 24.
Many netizens commented that they enjoy eating crayfish but the crayfish in their local area have not seen a significant price drop.
An article from “Yulin Net” reported that the sharp drop in crayfish prices does not necessarily mean that young people no longer enjoy eating crayfish. On the contrary, crayfish still maintains a certain level of market popularity.
According to a report from “Viewpoint Net,” some young people have indeed reduced the frequency of eating crayfish. This is mainly due to the relatively high price of crayfish, as well as fluctuations in taste and quality. In some cases where businesses have resorted to lowering quality and quantity to reduce costs, the taste and quality of crayfish have been affected, disappointing some consumers.
Furthermore, some consumers have started to pay more attention to the quality and nutritional value of ingredients, and crayfish does not stand out in terms of nutritional value. This has prompted some consumers to turn to other foods that offer better value for money.
According to reports from mainland media, recently in several fresh supermarkets in Beijing, crayfish retail prices are generally around 20 yuan per kilogram. “Prices have dropped particularly fast this year. The best-selling ones are those weighing between 4 and 6 taels, with about 17-18 pieces per kilogram, now priced at 18 yuan per kilogram, previously selling for over 30 yuan per kilogram, directly halving the price,” explained a seafood market stall owner. This year, crayfish prices are 2 to 4 yuan per kilogram lower than last year.
The wholesale prices of ordinary crayfish from crayfish-producing areas such as Hubei and Jiangsu continue to decline. Data from the crayfish trading platform “Xia Gu 360” in Qianjiang, Hubei, shows that since the end of March, different-sized green and red crayfish, ranging from 2-4 taels to 6-8 taels, have seen varying degrees of price decreases. A seller mentioned that they can now sell 500 to 600 kilograms of crayfish in a day.
Reports indicate that the significant drop in domestic crayfish prices this year is mainly due to oversupply in the market. Since March, many southern regions have experienced early warming, leading to an increased crayfish yield compared to the same period in previous years. Starting in March, crayfish from Hubei, Jiangsu, Hunan, and other areas have appeared on the market earlier than usual, resulting in sufficient supply and persistently low prices.
The “China Crayfish Industry Development Report (2023)” shows that since 2016, the aquaculture area of domestic crayfish has continued to grow, reaching approximately 28 million mu nationwide by 2022. In terms of production, the annual output of domestic crayfish has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a production volume of about 2.89 million tons in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 9.76%.
Furthermore, experts remind consumers to pay attention to food safety while enjoying the delicious taste of crayfish. Since crayfish may carry parasites, it is essential to ensure they are thoroughly cooked at high temperatures at home. Steaming or cooking for 30-40 minutes is necessary to completely kill the parasites and ensure safe consumption.