By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-11-01 00:33:15 | Updated at 2024-11-01 02:28:37
1 hour ago
The army of Hongkongers heading across the border for leisure spending and entertainment has eaten into the sales of hairy crab retailers in the city, who complain sales in the peak season for the delicacy have fallen by at least 30 per cent over last year.
Gary Tsao, owner of “Icrab.one” in the Causeway Bay shopping hub, has responded to the changing demand by removing one of his shop’s three fridges and he now operates on limited days too.
This year, he cut his crab imports from mainland China by 20 per cent, citing Hong Kong residents’ preference to purchase them in Shenzhen and the overall local spending downturn.
“We now stock about two boxes weekly, compared with at least one box daily in previous years,” Tsao, a 10-year veteran of the business, said.
Each box usually contains 80 crabs, depending on their size.
The delicacy, known for its sweet flesh and creamy, buttery golden roe, is available only in the fall. The season begins anywhere from late September to early October and runs until November.
