Prawns are a vital part of any Christmas spread, and holiday demand for the shellfish has seen supermarkets slash prices.
Australian prawn farmers have cranked up production as Christmas approaches, and freshly caught prawns can now be found for as little as $23 a kilogram.
Although fish markets, delis and supermarkets are all lowering their prawn prices, those prepared to shop around will find some stores offer more value than others.
Prawns are a vital part of any Christmas spread, and holiday demand for the shellfish has seen supermarkets slash prices (stock image)
North Queensland companies working out of Port Douglas and Ayr, near Townsville, are among those supplying major supermarkets, Nine News reported.
‘We’ve always got a mad rush down here. World famous prawns, these guys,’ said Julian Carberry, a fisherman on the Santiego prawn trawler.
‘It’s amazing. We’ve got over 100 staff at this time of the year, working around the clock,’ said John Malone of Pacific Reef Fisheries.
Although fish markets, delis and supermarkets are all lowering their prawn prices, those prepared to shop around will find some stores offer more value than others
Mr Malone’s company supplies Coles, who have dropped their prices to $27 a kilo for fresh prawns.
‘Fresh, not frozen. That’s why we work as quickly as we can to get prawns from the farm to the deli,’ said a Coles spokesperson.
Coles is not alone in discounting the Christmas finger food, with Woolworths slashing prawn prices from $31 a kilo to $27 a kilo.
Aldi is selling prawns for $23 a kilo, and independent seafood sellers such as those found at the Sydney Fish Market have similar deals.
Prawn sellers at fish markets aim to have the shellfish on their shelves within 48 hours of being harvested, keeping them as fresh as possible.
Australian prawn farmers have cranked up production as Christmas approaches, and freshly caught prawns can now be found for as little as $23 a kilogram (pictured are factory workers processing prawns after harvesting)