Giant crabs and mantis shrimps increase in price sharply

Near Tet, the demand for gifts of King Crab, Ca Mau , and "giant" mantis shrimp (mantis shrimp) increased, causing prices to increase sharply.

A survey at a seafood store in Ho Chi Minh City showed that the price of farmed sea crabs in Ca Mau increased by about 300,000 VND, reaching a maximum of 850,000 VND per kilogram, and crabs with roe increased to 1 million VND, up 30% compared to last week. Blue crabs are also currently more expensive by 200,000 VND, up to 750,000 VND per kilogram.

Similarly, red King Grab crab (Emperor crab) increased by VND200,000 to VND2.8 million per kg. Large blue lobsters increased to VND1.8 million per kg, an increase of about VND300,000. Squid of 5 kg each is priced at VND450,000, an increase of VND150,000 compared to the previous month.

King crab at a seafood shop on 3/2 Street, District 10 (HCMC). Photo: Thi Ha — King crab at a seafood shop on 3/2 Street, District 10 (HCMC). Photo: *Thi Ha*

Mr. Lam, a seafood shop owner in Binh Thanh District (HCMC), said that the purchasing power of seafood products increased at the end of the year while the supply was scarce, causing the prices of this group to increase sharply. In particular, with Ca Mau crab, blue crab and squid, China increased its purchases during the Lunar New Year, so the number of grade 1 products for the domestic market was limited.

"Compared to last week, purchasing power is increasing by 20-30%. Products with giant sizes and limited quantities are being bought by many customers as gifts, pushing up prices by up to 20%," Mr. Lam shared.

Sharing the same opinion, Mr. Tran Van Truong - CEO of Hoang Gia Seafood chain said that this Tet holiday, his company could only import a few hundred red king crabs. This is because the catch of this type of seafood has decreased this season. Meanwhile, customers buy large quantities as gifts, some customers order dozens of crabs to give to partners and relatives, so purchasing power is increasing by 25% compared to normal days.

Regarding Ca Mau crabs, type 1 crabs, seafood collection facilities in the sea areas of Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc, and Ca Mau all reported a decrease in supply to the market because fishermen had an early Tet holiday, causing the catch to dry up. Therefore, the quantity of goods arriving at stores is also limited.

Mantis shrimp of 4-5 pieces per kilo is currently priced at 2 million VND. Photo: Thi Ha — Mantis shrimp of 4-5 pieces per kilo is currently priced at 2 million VND. Photo: *Thi Ha*

Besides the group of high-end seafood with giant sizes that have increased in price dramatically, the prices of sea fish are also increasing continuously in the days leading up to Tet. In particular, cobia and tuna have increased by 10-20%. According to traders at traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City, the purchasing power of food stored for Tet has increased by 10-15% compared to normal days.

For vegetables, prices remained stable as the weather in the southern provinces was favorable. Many vegetable growers reported that the volume of vegetables sold to the market increased by 10-20%. As a result, vegetable prices decreased compared to the previous month.

Thi Ha

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