Unique crab "auction" market in the West

At 8am, traders in Vinh Thuan town (Vinh Thuan district, Kien Giang province) gathered at a coffee shop at the foot of Vinh Thuan bridge to prepare for the crab "auction".

Độc lạ chợ đấu giá cua ở miền Tây - 1 — Traders gather at one point to "auction" crabs (Photo: Bao Tran).

After gathering in large numbers, the traders displayed the crabs from their bags to be sorted and bargained for prices, bustling like a "wholesale market". Dozens of traders from all communes and hamlets in the area joined in.

Độc lạ chợ đấu giá cua ở miền Tây - 2 — The crab "auction" market is bustling from 8am (Photo: Bao Tran).

Mr. Do Thich (owner of Do Thich crab farm, Vinh Thuan town) said that this crab "auction" market has been going on continuously for many months now. The activities of buying and selling crabs and bargaining between the parties are busiest every morning.

"Today, crab prices are relatively stable. Four-legged crabs (crabs under 300 grams) are purchased at prices ranging from 160,000 - 180,000 VND/kg; male crabs from 300,000 - 350,000 VND/kg; soft-shell crabs are priced at no more than 460,000 VND/kg; soft-shell crabs are priced at no more than 500,000 VND/kg," said Mr. Thich.

Độc lạ chợ đấu giá cua ở miền Tây - 3 — Mr. Do Thich, owner of a crab farm in Vinh Thuan, Kien Giang, gathered at the crab "auction" market early in the morning (Photo: Bao Tran).

According to Mr. Thich, this crab "auction" market was formed based on the needs and habits of buying and selling sea crabs between traders. Thanks to this "auction" activity, traders will save a lot of time going everywhere to buy, people who need to buy and sell all come to one place.

In addition, gathering for trading will help stabilize crab prices by region, without differences or fake price fluctuations.

Độc lạ chợ đấu giá cua ở miền Tây - 4 — Trading and buying activities take place busily at the crab "auction" market (Photo: Bao Tran).

"About 20-30 people will gather here at 8am. Most of the long-time crab traders in Vinh Thuan are present. Whoever offers the highest price will sell to that person, depending on the buyer's negotiation," said Mr. Do Van Vu (crab trader in Cai Nhum canal, Phong Dong commune, Vinh Thuan district).

Độc lạ chợ đấu giá cua ở miền Tây - 5 — Crabs with roe purchased on September 22 cost about 460,000 VND/kg.

To choose good crabs and not waste much time for both buyers and sellers, traders must have many years of purchasing experience to "fight" at the crab "auction" market. Usually, each person will bring a flashlight to check the quality of the crab.

"Meat crabs are usually male crabs with pointed aprons. To choose good meat crabs, use your hand to squeeze the shell or carapace to see if the crab is soft. If you press it hard, it usually has firm meat. For roe crabs, I choose female crabs with round aprons. If you use a flashlight to shine on them, you can't see inside. Use your hand to press on the shell to see if it's hard. The crab is heavy and firm," said a trader.

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