Prawn prices jump before Christmas as Territory retailers predict $100m windfall

With Territorians expected to spend $100m in three days at the shops, Darwin fishmongers are warning a disappointing prawn haul will mean higher prices. See where you can buy your Christmas prawns and for how much.

AN ABUNDANCE of fresh fish has made up for a disappointing prawn catch, with operators hoping Territorians splash big bucks on their Christmas lunch.

It comes as one retail association predicts a $100m spend over the next three days in Territory stores alone. Read more below.

Prices in the Top End have increased by up to 30 per cent after trawlers returned with fewer varieties of popular Christmas prawns.

Darwin Fish Market director Lea Holmes said trawlers finished up 10 days earlier this year.

Ms Holmes said free range tiger prawns were fetching $37 a kilo.

“Only because it was a bit slow out there,” she said.

“It is a bit more expensive just because prawn prices have gone up this year.”

But Ms Holmes said there were plenty of oysters and fresh, locally caught fish in stock.

Christmas Seafood

Mr Barra manager Amon Hesketh said their city-based fishmonger had less size variety of prawns than previously.

Raw medium size tiger prawns were priced at roughly $46/kg at Mr Barra, up 30 per cent on the year before.

“The prawn season did come in slightly below average, but in saying that we have sourced some amazing prawns this year,” Ms Hesketh said.

But she said there was an “abundance” of fish and bugs, and said the store hopefully had enough prawns for Christmas.

It comes as Territorians are expected to join the rest of Australia in a last-minute shopping spree for Christmas presents.

New research from the National Retail Association (NRA) shows shoppers in the NT will spend $100m across Wednesday, Thursday and on Christmas Eve.

In the 10 days leading up to Christmas Day, it’s predicted Territorians will have spent a whopping $220m in stores.

The spend-a-thon will be welcomed by many retailers, who are expected to share in a 3 per cent increase in the 10-day Christmas spending in the Northern Territory this year, compared with last year.

Across the nation, shoppers were expected to drop a ­whopping $2bn in online sales over 10 days, primarily in click-and-collect.

Budget

National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb said the figures were ­encouraging for the retail sector after a tough two years from the pandemic.

“What we know is that Northern Territory consumers are all about that last-minute dash for Christmas gifts,” Ms Lamb said.

“(But) all in all, the Northern Territory still remains reasonably untouched.”

Ms Lamb said all indicators showed positive signs for the Territory’s retailers.

“If you look at the last three days (before Christmas), that’s up by 5 per cent on last year,” she said.

Ms Lamb said that spending between November 15 and Christmas Day was up 5.5 per cent.

The boost came at a crucial time for the Territory’s retail sector, which was depending on Christmas to buoy sales.

“Ultimately for retailers, this is a time of the year where they make a third of their profit,” Ms Lamb said.

Jill Garland owner of Pure Indulgence chocolate shop in the Star Village arcade.

Ms Lamb said shoppers were primarily purchasing food as they reunited with friends and family.

“Apparel, personal items and shoes are up there. We are moving out of our houses and into the events season.

“If anything, this is actually an 11-year high in terms of spend. People are being reunited with family and friends.” Darwin CBD chocolate shop Pure Indulgence, which has been operating for 24 years, was bracing for a big three days before Christmas.

Its owner Jill Garland said the weeks leading up to Christmas had been “pretty steady”.

“We’re a bit up on last year – this week is our biggest trading week,” Ms Garland said.

“We’ve had the odd few quiet days, but not too bad at all.” Ms Garland said the most popular item in her store were the handmade chocolates.

She said the last three days before Christmas were typically the busiest days, with Darwinites leaving their chocolate shopping to the last minute.

“We’ll be really busy on Thursday,” she said.

Originally published as Prawn prices jump before Christmas as Territory retailers predict $100m windfall