Nghe An: During tourist season, seafood prices start to rise

Entering the tourist season, seafood prices are starting to rise. Photo: CSCC

After a night of fishing, Mr. Nguyen Chien Thang's boat in Nghi Thuy ward (Cua Lo town) docked. In addition to a large amount of herring and silver pomfret, his boat also caught nearly 20 kg of flash squid and 10 kg of shrimp. All seafood was bought by traders as soon as the boat docked. Mr. Thang said: "For the past three days, traders have bought all the seafood they caught, and the price of seafood has also increased compared to before. The price of flash squid and shrimp has increased by 20%."

On this occasion, the bamboo basket boat fishing profession in Cua Lo also "prospered" when specialties such as: flashing squid, shrimp, grouper, white pomfret, crab, etc., after being caught, were immediately purchased by restaurants and seafood agents at high prices; or sold to tourists right at the wharf.

Seafood such as shrimp, crab, and swimming crab caught near shore are very popular. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Tran Van Binh, a fisherman who specializes in fishing in Nghi Thu ward (Cua Lo town) said: "During the tourist season, there are many tourists and restaurants have high demand, so the price of seafood has increased. Each trip takes 3-5 hours, after deducting all expenses, we still earn millions of dong."

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Loi - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Nghi Thuy Ward (Cua Lo Town), the whole ward has 109 ships and boats of all kinds, of which, there are more than 67 nearshore fishing boats. The boats return at night so the seafood caught is fresh, favored by traders. Entering the tourist season, the price of seafood is on the rise, so fishermen are very excited.

Tourists choose to buy fresh seafood at Nghi Thuy fishing wharf market (Cua Lo town). Photo: Thanh Phuc

Specializing in purchasing and distributing seafood to restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions in Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and Quang Binh, Ms. Hong Ly in Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau) said: “Currently, the price of fresh seafood such as shrimp, crab, squid, sea cucumber, clam, oyster, and snail is increasing day by day. The price of frozen seafood is still stable. We are currently collecting specialty seafood to import to restaurants in tourist areas to be raised in aeration tanks to serve tourists.”

According to a survey, at traditional markets, the prices of fresh seafood are also increasing day by day. Accordingly, the price of flashing squid ranges from 450,000 - 700,000 VND/kg; crab costs 300,000 - 450,000 VND/kg, clams cost 80,000 - 120,000 VND/kg; oysters (in shell) cost 45,000 VND/kg...

Specialty seafood such as squid, grouper, sea cucumber... have increased in price by 15-30% compared to before. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Particularly, whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp prices are higher than last year, accordingly, shrimp of 70 pieces/1 kg cost 180,000 VND/kg, 30-40 pieces/kg cost 220-250,000 VND/kg. Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa - owner of Hoa Phat shrimp farm in Dien Kim commune (Dien Chau) said: "From now until the April 30 and May 1 holidays, my farm has about 20 tons of shrimp to supply to the market, serving tourists. Shrimp prices are currently increasing every day. This year, shrimp prices are forecasted to be 15-20% higher than last year."

At this time, farmed seafood such as clams, groupers, and sea bass in Nghi Quang and Nghi Thiet communes (Nghi Loc), Nghi Tan and Nghi Thuy wards (Cua Lo town) are also easy to consume and have higher prices than before. Currently, groupers are being sold for 200,000 - 250,000 VND/kg, sea bass for 150,000 - 170,000 VND/kg, and farmed clams for 20,000 - 25,000 VND/kg.

The high demand for seafood during the tourist season has pushed up seafood prices. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Restaurants and seafood shops in Vinh City also said that the price of crab, squid, and shrimp from Nghe An sea area is quite high, especially flash squid, mantis shrimp, and blue crab, the price has increased by 10-30%, the supply is also quite scarce, so they have to import seafood from Ca Mau, Phu Quoc and also import to have enough supply for customers.

This year's May 30-May 1 holiday is long, accompanied by hot weather, so the demand for seafood is high, and prices are expected to increase sharply.

Facilities are collecting, storing, and raising seafood to serve diners. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Mr. Tran Tuan Anh - owner of a seafood restaurant in Cua Hoi, Nghi Hai ward (Cua Lo town) said: "This year, Cua Lo festival opens earlier, more tourists also come to Cua Lo, in the past 3 days, the number of diners coming to eat seafood at the restaurant has increased by 1.5 times compared to before. According to estimates, this year, the holiday is longer so the number of guests is higher, we are having plans to store fresh seafood to serve the needs of tourists".