Australian seafood prices climbed to record highs heading into the Christmas and New Year holidays due to the continued impact of supply chain problems and labor shortages.

Australian seafood prices have recovered steadily since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Demand is up 30% year-on-year in December 2021, and retailers achieved strong sales again in December 2022.

Prices for domestically-raised oysters – and particularly Sydney rock oysters, considered a special delicacy in Australia – have also risen, with many supplies decimated by flooding and a parasite outbreak in Port Stephens.

A study commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council and carried out by YouGov found five million Australians indicated they planned to eat more prawns during the holidays. And 62% of seafood consumers said they would seek certified sustainable prawns.

Source: Seafoodsource.com for more info.

Read: Seafood & aquaculture 2023 forecast