Crayfish rumours have no legs

Recent reports that Australians can expect cheap crayfish this Christmas, as a result of China's ban on Australian imports, aren't strictly true, according to seafood wholesalers and retailers.

Owner of Esperance Fish Processors in Western Australia, Jenny Karaterpos, says the recent export ban has mainly affected the fishermen.

"They're wary if they should go fishing or not. Fisherman are still fishing, they're not happy with the price but we're still exporting to China," she said.

Ms Karaterpos said prices will depend on whether or not the situation changes with China and crayfish prices couldn't be predicted until the week of Christmas.

"Last year we sold crayfish for $60 a kilo," she said.

"If anything it's not going to be that cheap. It's not going to be in the $35 or $40 bracket, prices might go down to $50-$55 direct, but maybe more in the city."

However, Tom Angelakis of Angelakis Bros, a South Australian Seafood, poultry and game importing, exporting, retail and wholesale company, said the price of crayfish has dropped by $30 a kilo since last year.

"The local market is positive," Mr Angelakis told Neos Kosmos.

"This time last year we were selling crayfish for $100 a kilo, some places were even dearer, but this year the margins have dropped by $30, smaller crayfish have dropped even more. People are buying good sized cray for between $70 and $100."

The end of November saw all the local crayfish, ready for export, stopped after China slapped a ban on Aussie imports, Mr Angelakis said.

"They used to export through Hong Kong to China, and weren't paying luxury tax to the Chinese Government, they were creeping across border without paying tax," he said, adding "now that the Chinese Government have stopped imports, crayfish are still being caught and have nowhere to go to, so they have to be used in the local market".

China is the biggest market in the world for crayfish, and pays more than anyone else, Mr Angelakis said.

"If China starts buying again, prices will go up, but they shouldn't go up to the same extreme."

For the local public this is a holiday bonus, Mr Angelakis said, adding that there has been increased interest in Crayfish this year.

"It's not a cheap item, it's very expensive but now it's not as expensive. People still think about spending on crayfish, but the drop in price has made it more attractive."

Mr Angelakis predicts the local market will consume the crays between now and Christmas, but January and February are usually the highest selling periods in China for Chinese New Year.

"I don't think the price will drop much more here, though local demand has picked up much more than in recent years," Mr Angelakis said.

"A lot of crayfish are on quota, they can only catch X amount; fishermen will be playing the market and not overflooding the market."