Queensland Seafood Marketers Association president Marshal Betzel has suggested that people stockpile prawns before Christmas. In an interview with other members of the media, he explained that prices are expected to surge at about $40 per kilo as Christmas approaches.
This isn’t exactly good news for seafood lovers in Brisbane and suburbs. In Clayfield, shoppers looking to stock up on prawns and other seafood items can check out two options in their neighbourhood.
The Clayfield Seafood Markets
Residents looking to buy prawns in Clayfield have only one place in mind when they think of fresh seafood – The Clayfield Seafood Markets. The Clayfield Seafood Markets has moved to a refurbished store at Clayfield Markets on Sandgate Road.
Credit: Clayfield Seafood Markets
They accept pre-order for Christmas and staff deliver 6 days a week. Everything is filleted fresh onsite and prepared from scratch.
All of its seafood is sustainably caught. The Fish and Chips at the Clayfield Seafood Markets has been voted 2nd Best Fish & Chips in Brisbane by Triple M 2017 and 8th in the Australian Best Fish & Chip Awards Qld 2017.
The place also sells Fish & Chips, salads, tempura, housemade sauces and condiments, as well as burgers made “from scratch” which customers can eat al fresco.
To know more on how to pre-order from The Clayfield Seafood Markets, click here.
Grilled Fish
Credit: Grilled Fish Facebook
Grilled Fish is another go-to place for seafood. The establishment also does event catering and can customise their menu based on their clients’ proposed budget.
Our main principle is great food and great hospitality. We are completely adaptable to your needs and will work to your specifications to ensure your event is a success.
To know more about Grilled Fish, click here.
Why Prices Are Going Up
According to Mr Betzel, his prediction about the looming price hike is based on China’s increasing demand for Australian prawns.
In a separate interview with other media, Betzel’s prediction has been echoed by David Lock, Managing Director of agribusiness company Mareterram. Mr Lock, however, attributed his projection to the ban on imported prawns which started in January 2017, after the discovery of what was termed as “white spot disease.”
After extensive treatments, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries announced all previously infected prawns farms in SE Queensland have tested negative. These farms will remain uncultivated for a year to eradicate the virus. As of September, further surveillance across the region returned all negative results.
Likewise, NSW areas have also turned up negative results, indicating that the disease may not have reached the Moreton Bay Region and has not spread to other places in Queensland. Follow-up surveillance will be conducted in 2018.