Text translation
Hong Kong hairy crab, China costs 1.4 million VND per kg, 50% higher than Vietnam's specialty crab is still "sold out".
Hairy crab from Hong Kong, China, sells for VND 1.4 million per kilogram, which is 50% higher than the price of Vietnamese specialty crab, and demand still exceeds supply.
As a famous specialty only available seasonally in 10-12 months in Hong Kong and Shanghai (China), hairy crab in Vietnam is increasingly popular with the rich despite the sharp increase in prices after the pandemic.
Hairy crabs are a seasonal specialty of Hong Kong and Shanghai from October to December, and despite the sharp rise in prices after the pandemic, hairy crabs imported back to Vietnam are increasingly popular with the wealthy.
As noted by VnExpress, the price of hairy crabs at seafood stores in Ho Chi Minh City of 5-6 animals per kg is 1.2-1.4 million VND, up 20% compared to last year and doubled compared to before the epidemic. For those weighing 7-8 animals per kilogram, the selling price is one million VND, 50% higher than Ca Mau crab - a specialty of Vietnam (type 1 costs 500,000-700,000 VND per kg).
According to Vietnam Express, the price of 5-6 hairy crabs per kg in seafood stores in Ho Chi Minh City is 1.2 million to 1.4 million VND, up 20% from last year and double from before the epidemic. For a weight of 7-8 pieces/kg, it is sold for VND 1 million, which is 50% higher than the Vietnamese specialty Golden Ou crab (the price of a class of goods is VND 500,000-700,000/kg).
The price of hairy crabs has now increased sharply, but the number of customers ordering is still high. "I imported two batches, each batch of 200 kg was bought by customers in a few days," said Hoa, a shop owner in District 3.
At present, the price of hairy crabs has risen sharply, but there are still many customers who order. "I imported 200 kilograms in two batches, and within a few days I was robbed by customers," said Ah Huajie, a shopkeeper in District 3.
Similarly, Mr. Tran Van Truong, CEO of Hoang Gia seafood chain – the main importer of hairy crab – said that each import of nearly half a ton sold out during the week.
Similarly, Chen Wenchang, chairman of the Huangjia seafood chain, a hairy crab company that imports hairy crabs, said that each batch of nearly half a ton was sold out within a week.
According to Ms. Hoa, this is the best crab time in the season, the Chinese elite hunt to buy, so the official export to Vietnam is very low quantity. In order to have official crab shipments, the product must be a class A product with a medical certificate (HC) and a certificate of origin (C/0).
According to Sister Hua, this is the most delicious season for hairy crabs, which is loved by China's upper class, so the number of trade-oriented exports to Vietnam is very small. In order to import these products, they must be Class A products with a Health Certificate (HC) and a Certificate of Origin of Goods (C/0).
Hairy crabs at the seafood shop on Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7 (HCMC). Photo: Thi Ha
Hairy crabs sold at a seafood shop on Nguyen Van Linh Avenue, Tan Phong Fang, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Shixia
The reason for the high price of this commodity, Mr. Tran Van Truong said that due to a sharp decrease in fishing output in China. With hairy crabs meeting the standards for official export, the output is much lower than in previous years. "Previously, each batch of crabs imported in quantity was up to a ton, now it is only about 300-500 kg," Truong said.
Chen Wenchang believes that the sharp decline in China's catch is the reason for the price increase; In addition, the production of hairy crabs for export is much lower than in previous years. "In the past, each batch of crabs was imported as much as 1 tonne, but now it is only about 300-500 kilograms," Mr. Chen said.
In addition, according to him, the high USD exchange rate, the increase in input costs also caused the price of crabs to return to Vietnam to increase sharply compared to before.
In addition, according to him, the rise in the exchange rate of the dollar and the increase in input costs have also led to a significant increase in crab prices than before.
Because this type of crab is popular, the market still has many poor quality imported products or Vietnamese leather crabs labeled "Shanghai, Hong Kong" sold at high prices.
Due to the popularity of this crab, there are still many inferior hairy crabs in the market to enter the side trade or Vietnamese skin crabs hanging sheep's heads to sell dog meat stickers "Shanghai, Hong Kong" hairy crab labels sell at high prices.
According to traders, it is difficult to distinguish between officially imported standard hairy crabs and Vietnamese leather crabs because they have quite similar shapes. However, Vietnamese crabs are uneven in size and weigh just under 100 grams. Particularly for small-scale products, the origin is not clear, so consumers need to be careful to avoid buying poor quality goods.
According to traders, it is difficult to distinguish hairy crabs imported from Vietnam because they are very similar in appearance. However, Vietnamese crabs are uneven in size and weigh less than 100 grams. For products that come from border trade, the origin is unknown, so consumers should be careful not to buy inferior products.
Hairy crab is a specialty of Hong Kong, Shanghai, is considered a luxury item here and annually brings in huge sales of billions of dollars. In the last two years, although the pandemic has greatly affected the trade situation between countries, the specialty of hairy crab in China has continuously sold out.
Hairy crabs, a specialty of Hong Kong and Shanghai, are considered a luxury item that brings in billions of dollars a year. In the past two years, although the new crown epidemic pandemic has had a great impact on the trade situation of various countries, the market of hairy crab specialties in China has continued to be hot.