Crayfish exports hit five-year high after coronavirus lockdown

Pent up demand from Chinese consumers for fresh New Zealand crayfish has sent export volumes soaring to levels not seen since 2015. Auckland Airport air cargo data for May shows more than 300 tonnes of live crayfish were exported to China, up 53 per cent on the same month last year. The renewed appetite for crayfish comes after a tough couple of months for the $320 million industry. The outbreak of coronavirus forced the shut-down of restaurants in China in the middle of Chinese New Year celebrations in late January. Auckland Airport figures show the rapid drop in crayfish export volumes over the next three months – down 84 per cent in February, -44 per cent in March and -52 per cent in April. The sudden and dramatic slump in export demand left fishers around the country with live stock in holding tanks and nowhere to send it. Some of the estimated 150 to 180 tonnes of crayfish were later freed. Auckland Airport aeronautical commercial general manager Scott Tasker said the ...