Striped surface is 2.5 million VND per kg

Mantis shrimp, also known as mantis shrimp, lives in many coastal areas of Vietnam, from Quang Ninh and Hai Phong to Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc and Ca Mau.

Surveys at some seafood stores in Ho Chi Minh City show that striped mantis shrimp weighing 300-350 grams each is priced at 2.4-2.5 million VND per kg, up 15-20% over the same period last year. Sizes under 200 grams cost 1.5-1.7 million VND, while smaller ones cost about 450,000-800,000 VND per kg.

With yellow mantis shrimp, 150-200 grams each are sold for 1.5-2 million VND per kg, an increase of about 15% compared to last year’s holiday. However, according to clues, large striped mantis shrimp are the most difficult to collect.

Ordering 2 kg of zebra shrimp for the September 2 party, Ms. Hong in Tan Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh City, could only buy one kg, including three shrimp, for nearly 2.5 million VND. She said she had prepared seafood about a month ago but by the time of the ceremony, she still could not find the desired quantity.

“My family likes this type because the meat is firm, sweet and fragrant. It’s not easy to buy enough quantity,” she said.

Ms. Le Thi Lan, owner of a seafood store in Thu Duc, said that this holiday sells more than 100 kg of large mantis shrimp, but there is a shortage of goods almost every day. The number of customers booked is about twice as high as the amount that can be supplied.

“For striped mantis shrimp alone, I can only collect more than 5 kg. Wherever the goods arrive, customers will order them,” Ms. Lan said.

In years when the supply is favorable, a store can collect 20-30 kg of striped mantis shrimp. This year, there are very few fish per kilogram, some customers have to book a month in advance, or even longer.

Mr. Tran Van Truong, CEO of Hoang Gia Seafood Chain, also said that large-sized mantis shrimp arrive at stores irregularly. On this occasion, the quantity of goods is small so not every establishment has it for sale. “Large mantis shrimp are both difficult to collect and popular with customers, so the price has increased,” he said.

According to contacts, large mantis shrimp only accounts for a small portion of the total supply. Mantis shrimp usually weighs mainly 33-66 grams each, equivalent to about 15-30 shrimps per kilogram. Meanwhile, those weighing 100-350 grams are many times larger in size and are rarely encountered in catches.

This year’s supply of large-sized mantis shrimp is said to have decreased by about 30% compared to last year. This species is mainly exploited naturally, while commercial farming is not popular due to the difficulty of care, so the supply depends heavily on catch. Mantis shrimp season usually lasts from February to the end of October every year.