China’s loss is Tasmania’s gain as community rallies behind cheap crays
Tasmanians are being urged to take advantage of the crazy cheap crayfish on offer across the state to help support an embattled industry. WHERE TO FIND CHEAP CRAYS >>
Tasmania
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TASMANIANS are being urged to take advantage of the crazy cheap crayfish on offer across the state to help support an embattled industry.
At Franklin Wharf, Marie 1 captain Stephen Bradshaw said as they were unable to sell their crayfish to China they were now selling them straight off the boat to the public.
Tasmania sent about $22.4 million of rock lobster to China in 2019.
“Usually you go out, sell them, then fix what you’ve broken and do your maintenance and go again,” he said.
“How we’re at the stage where we’ve got to sit here for three or four days selling.”
He said in New Zealand the going price for crayfish was still about $140 per kilo.
Bradshaw was selling his from $50 per kilo.
“They’ve got to pay a heap in New Zealand because they can’t keep up with the demand from China,” he said.
With New Zealand’s supply running dry, Bradshaw hoped they would be able to sell to China over Chinese New Year in February.
Until then it looks as though China’s loss is Tasmania’s gain, with Bradshaw saying his fresh crays had been a massive hit with the community.
“We’ve had people coming from Canberra, Sydney, Queensland — all over,” he said.
“Also from all across Tasmania.”
Triton captain Peter MacKenzie said he was just recouping costs by selling off his boat, but had also seem massive community interest.
“I’ve had some people come by and say they’ll have three, and then when they find out the price they say they’ll have two more.
“I’ve had people go away and come back for more, and I’ve had a person come back three times in one day — he was probably giving them to his family.”
He said on Sunday he had a girl coming down from Devonport just to snag some crays.
“They want 10 so they’re driving all the way down,” he said.
“When it gets out more among the community the response should be even better.”
At Margate on Sunday, lobsters were going for $55 a kilo with cooked lobster from $40.
Hill Street Grocer has even jumped on the bandwagon, selling fresh cooked crays for $49.95.
Primary Industries and Water Minister Guy Barnett said import delays happened from time to time in global markets, and government and industry was monitoring the situation.
“I encourage all Tasmanians to support our local crayfish industry, as you many never see prices like this ever again.”
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