Core Viewpoint - The price of crayfish in China has significantly decreased, with some sizes dropping by over 70%, making it the cheapest time of the year for consumers [2][3]. Price Trends - In the first four months of the year, the wholesale price of crayfish peaked at 35 yuan per jin, dropping to 19 yuan per jin in May [3]. - Specific price reductions include: - 3-5 tael crayfish from 20 yuan to 10 yuan per jin - 5-6 tael crayfish from 30 yuan to 13 yuan per jin - 6-8 tael crayfish from 40 yuan to 15 yuan per jin [2]. - As of May 20, prices for different sizes were reported as follows: - Small crayfish at 10 yuan per jin - Medium crayfish at 11.5 yuan per jin - Large crayfish at 16 yuan per jin - Extra-large crayfish at 25 yuan per jin [3]. Market Dynamics - The volume of crayfish sold has increased dramatically, with daily sales rising from 2,000-3,000 jin to 30,000-50,000 jin in mid-May [4]. - The peak season for crayfish is from May to June, leading to a surge in supply and a potential price war [4][5]. - The crayfish industry in China is stabilizing, with advancements in farming techniques and expansion in traditional and emerging production areas [4]. Supply Chain and Logistics - Enhanced logistics, including temperature-controlled transportation and efficient distribution methods, have reduced transportation costs and improved delivery times [6]. - The crayfish supply chain has adapted to meet consumer demand, with a focus on fresh and quick delivery [6]. Employment and Market Development - The growing crayfish market has created new job opportunities, such as sorting workers and quality inspectors [7]. - The diversification of the dining market, including ready-to-eat and frozen products, has increased consumer choices [7]. Industry Recommendations - Industry experts suggest that regulatory measures should be implemented to prevent overproduction and excessive competition in the market [7]. - Long-term strategies should focus on scientific planning of the crayfish industry layout and technological advancements in farming practices [7].

初夏时节，小龙虾进入销售旺季。有消息称，今年小龙虾价格较往年有较大幅度下降。具体情况如何， 记者在小龙虾主产地湖北进行了采访。 近日，记者在武汉盒马超市常青花园店看到，单只6钱至8钱重的鲜活小龙虾的售价为每斤26.9元。"今 年小龙虾价格较往年有明显下降。"武汉市将军路菜市场大虾经营户黄丽芬粗略计算了一下，4月初小龙 虾刚上市时，最小的虾每斤也卖到了23元，而现在每斤只卖10元，降幅超过50%。 康峻预计，短期（5月至6月）来看，小龙虾价格或继续下探。因为湖北潜江、荆州等小龙虾主产区将迎 来清水虾批量上市，叠加山东、安徽产区供应，市场"价格战"将更激烈。中期（7月至8月），高温天气 导致成虾供应量减少，价格可能反弹。长期来看，行业将加速洗牌，"精品虾"与"通货虾"价差或将进一 步拉大。 小龙虾在湖北已发展成超千亿元的大产业。2023年，湖北出台"虾十条"，明确"潜江龙虾"为湖北唯一小 龙虾区域公用品牌。通过协同发展，2024年湖北小龙虾养殖面积达1106万亩，产量143.7万吨，综合产 值1841亿元，潜江小龙虾加工交易总量突破80万吨，占全国总产量的四分之一。 为拓展市场，湖北连续多年开展潜江龙虾"走出去" ...

Core Insights - The market for crayfish is experiencing a significant price drop due to stable supply and increased consumer demand for home cooking and dining out [1][2] - The wholesale price of crayfish has decreased from approximately 30 yuan per jin to about 13 yuan per jin, with larger sizes also seeing substantial declines [1] - The crayfish industry is evolving towards higher quality, branding, and standardization, with companies exploring deep processing and ready-to-eat meals to expand market space [3] Price Dynamics - The increase in crayfish farming area and production has led to a significant rise in market supply, contributing to the price decline [2] - Seasonal factors play a crucial role, with April to June being peak harvest months, resulting in lower prices, while prices tend to rise in the fall when supply decreases [2] Industry Challenges - Crayfish restaurants are facing challenges due to lower procurement costs, leading to increased competition and potential profit margin erosion [2] - Many restaurants are diversifying their menus and reducing the proportion of crayfish dishes to adapt to the changing market dynamics [2] Consumer Trends - The crayfish industry has developed over 20 years, with significant growth in production from 51,600 tons in 2003 to 3.161 million tons in 2023 [5] - Crayfish has become a staple in various dining settings, with its versatility allowing it to be featured in numerous dishes and cuisines [7][12] Market Position - Crayfish is increasingly recognized as a significant component of Chinese cuisine, with some suggesting it has become the "ninth major cuisine" in China [12][13] - The demand for crayfish is comparable to that of beef and lamb, with projected production levels indicating its importance in the food supply [12] Innovation and Adaptation - Restaurants are creatively incorporating crayfish into diverse culinary offerings, including fusion dishes and unique flavor profiles [15][16] - E-commerce platforms are also capitalizing on the crayfish market, offering fresh products with added value through cooking guides and recipes [17][18] Global Perspective - The crayfish market is not only thriving domestically but also has potential for international exports, with products reaching countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Germany [19] - The crayfish phenomenon reflects a broader trend in global food consumption, positioning it as a core ingredient alongside traditional proteins [19]

Core Viewpoint - The price of crayfish has experienced a dramatic decline, with wholesale prices dropping significantly from their initial levels, despite a surge in demand for crayfish products [2][4][6]. Group 1: Price Decline - The wholesale price of crayfish has fallen from approximately 30 yuan per jin to around 13 yuan per jin, with medium-sized crayfish dropping from 40 yuan to about 17 yuan, and large crayfish from 58 yuan to around 32 yuan [2]. - In Hubei's Qianjiang, the price of small crayfish has plummeted to around 10 yuan, while medium-sized crayfish are priced between 12-14 yuan [4]. - Despite the price drop, the demand for fresh crayfish has surged, with sales increasing by 606% on e-commerce platforms [6]. Group 2: Industry Overview - The crayfish industry has seen a decline in the number of registered companies, with a 5.2% decrease year-on-year, totaling 1,442 registered companies as of September 2024 [6]. - The total number of crayfish-related enterprises has decreased by 3.2% year-on-year, with 17,900 companies currently in operation [6]. - The crayfish industry has not produced a dominant player despite its large market size, primarily due to low entry barriers leading to intense competition [6]. Group 3: Supply and Demand Imbalance - The crayfish farming area reached 28 million mu in 2022, with production hitting 289.07 million tons, a 9.76% increase from 2021 [19]. - By 2023, the farming area surpassed 29 million mu, with annual production reaching 3 million tons [19]. - The oversupply during peak seasons has led to downward pressure on prices, despite high consumer prices in first-tier cities [19][21]. Group 4: Challenges in Standardization - The crayfish industry lacks high levels of organization and standardization, with varying farming methods leading to inconsistent quality [23]. - The high loss rate during transportation and storage, estimated at 20%-30%, further complicates the industry's operational challenges [25]. - Fixed costs such as rent and labor remain high, putting significant pressure on crayfish restaurant operators [25]. Group 5: Competition from Pre-prepared Foods - The emergence of pre-prepared crayfish products has intensified competition for traditional crayfish restaurants [28]. - Pre-prepared crayfish can be cooked and packaged near production sites, reducing costs and extending the product's shelf life [28]. - While traditional live crayfish restaurants still dominate the market, the trend towards pre-prepared options may reshape the industry landscape [29].