Prawns are making a comeback after a challenging year full of supply chain issues and heavy rainfall.
Australians typically tuck into about 22,000 tonnes of prawns during the festive period – which works out to be around 40 per cent of annual prawn consumption, according to Marine Stewardship Council, a non-profit that sets a global standard for sustainable fishing.
The industry group surveyed more than 1000 Australians in a poll released this week asking them about their feasting plans and 55 per cent said prawns would top the menu as the most essential ingredient for Christmas lunches.
Capitalising on the culinary appetite for prawns, Sydney Fish Market will offer people more time to shop for all their favourite Christmas produce.
Opening non-stop from 5am on Friday until to 5pm on Christmas eve, more than 100,000 customers are anticipated to walk through the market’s doors with over 350 tonnes of seafood expected to be sold.
Sydney Fish Market CEO Greg Dyer says “the marathon is a signature event on the Sydney Fish Market calendar, celebrating Australia’s collective love of seafood”.
The enthusiasm is shared by national peak body Seafood Industry Australia which says there has been an abundance of Western Rock lobsters in the domestic market but not so much for oysters.
“It’s been a tough season for Sydney rock oyster growers with the loss of the Port Stephens oyster farms and the ongoing rain events along our eastern coast. This will put pressure on the supply available,” the body’s CEO Veronica Papacosta said.
“Across the entire food supply network there has been impacts to the supply chain and labour shortages.
“However, consumers don’t need to worry, between our aquaculture and wild-caught products there will be a wide variety of Australian seafood available”.
With AAP
