Crayfish Consumption Declines In Cross River Over Scarcity, High Cost

The price of crayfish has surged to N200,000 from N120,000–N150,000, leading to reduced purchasing power among dealers. A bucket now costs between N6,000 and N6,500, up from N2,500 previously, with smaller measures at N500–N200. Fishermen cite high fuel costs and attacks by pirates and militants as reasons for scarcity. Coastal communities like Dayspring in Bakassi LGA confirm these challenges. Big dealers pay upfront to secure supplies for larger markets. The state government, represented by Commissioner Emmanuel Anom, is focusing on supporting local farmers and fishermen to scale up seafood production. Source: Daily Trust

Our Review
The steep rise in crayfish prices in Nigeria, soaring from N120,000 to N200,000 per sack, reflects significant challenges within the fishing industry. Fishermen attribute this increase to rising operational costs, including fuel expenses for boat engines, and security threats such as piracy and militant attacks, which disrupt fishing activities and reduce catches.
Local dealers, facing higher procurement costs, pass on these expenses to consumers, leading to higher retail prices. Smaller measures of crayfish, which previously sold for N2,500, now command prices between N500 and N6,500, impacting affordability and consumption patterns. Efforts by state authorities, as highlighted by Commissioner Emmanuel Anom, underscore the need to support large-scale seafood production by local farmers and fishermen. Initiatives like those organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility aim to bolster production capacities and enhance food security in coastal communities reliant on fishing.
Addressing challenges such as security threats, operational costs, and market dynamics will be crucial to stabilizing crayfish prices and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for fishermen and seafood dealers in Nigeria.