‘It’s ridiculous’: US expat rages over the cost of seafood in Australia

An American living in Australia has expressed her outrage over how pricey seafood is Down Under.

An American living in Australia has expressed her outrage at how pricey seafood is Down Under.

Earlier this week, TikToker baal.and.chain posted a video about “the worst parts about [being] an American living in Australia”.

In the clip, the hungry expat ranted that she was craving a lobster roll, shrimp cocktail or crab cakes after a hot day at the pool.

But she said she couldn’t satisfy her cravings because “lobster is like $60 a pound”, branding the price “ridiculous”.

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She complained that when she grew up in New England on the US north east coast, the seafood was “cheap and plentiful”.

“I had seafood all the time ... maybe not super cheap but it was not like Australian prices,” she said.

“And I just spent a day at the pools and it’s hot and I just want a freakin’ lobster roll, or a shrimp cocktail, some crab cakes, fritters and chowder.”

The video attracted more than 64,000 views, with commentators recommending where she should go to get good seafood.

“Not a shrimp cocktail it’s a prawn cocktail,” one said.

“If you’re in Australia it’s crayfish, prawns and kgs,” another wrote.

“You need to try bugs. Moreton Bay bugs are the best. They are like a mini lobsters. Trust me,” a third said.

Other users were not pleased with the expat’s clip and suggested she go back to the US if she couldn’t get the food she wanted here.

“Well you know what you can do?”, one person said, possibly hinting for the woman to go back to the US after her rant.

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Anyone for lobster? Supplied.

“We are not America”, another wrote.

“You think the seafood is pricey, try buying a house,” a third quipped.

Australian seafood prices hit a record high in the lead-up to Christmas due to supply chain issues and labour shortages.

Queensland Seafood Marketers Association President Ian Hamilton said while prices have increased, domestically-raised and caught seafood still represents a good value for Aussie consumers.

“Queensland prawn and fish prices remain competitive and good value,” he told Seafood Source.

“Consumers can expect to buy wild-caught Queensland northern kings from $27 a kilo and a Queensland’s favourite large wild-caught tigers from $35 a kilo.

“There are plenty of top-quality, well-priced farmed tiger and banana prawns too.”

Mr Hamilton said Rock lobsters “are plentiful” and were retailing for around $65 a kilo.

“People are being spoilt for choice with Queensland tiger prawns, squid, [sand crabs], scallops, as well as prime table fish – red emperors, snappers, Sunshine Coast tuna and our own Queensland barramundi to choose from,” he said.