For many years, crayfish has been called the "online celebrity" in the midnight snack world because of its low price and delicious taste. But nowadays, ordering a crayfish in a restaurant costs one or two hundred yuan at a time, which is not expensive. Especially in recent years, the news that the wholesale price of crayfish has risen and the supply has been out of stock has been frequent. What caused this?

Shipailing, Wuchang is one of the most concentrated places to eat crayfish in Wuhan, Hubei Province. There are more than ten shrimp restaurants on both sides of the street less than one kilometer long. Zhang Jin opened a shrimp restaurant in this street. Although the business is not bad this year, he feels very stressed because the purchase price of crayfish has been rising.

Zhang Jin, head of Feifei Shrimp Farm in Wuhan City, Hubei Province: Crayfish was about 20 yuan per catty in the same period last year, but it was less than 30 yuan. According to our specifications and standards, we were all over 40 this year, and it arrived at the end of June. Up to now, the price has basically increased by at least 80% compared with the same period last year.

Although the price of crayfish has risen sharply, the price of crayfish has not been raised on the menus of most restaurants. Take a local plate of oil-stewed crayfish in Hubei as an example. The price ranges from 158 yuan to 188 yuan, and generally it takes about 3 kg of crayfish. According to the calculation of 40 yuan per catty, the cost of raw materials for such a plate of crayfish accounts for more than half.

Wang Changgang, head of Qianjiang Wuqi Shrimp Hall, Hubei Province: In May and June, we may earn about 60 to 70 yuan per plate. Now, when the price is raised again, we can earn 10 to 20 yuan per pot of shrimp.

In recent years, crayfish have been favored in the catering market. Last year, the national crayfish consumption reached 879,300 tons, driving the upstream and downstream output value to exceed 100 billion. June and July are supposed to be the peak season for crayfish to go on the market every year, and the price tends to go down. However, this year's anti-seasonal price increase has made many restaurant owners a little panicked.

Cao Lijun, head of the Xiahuang Shrimp Hall in Qianjiang City, Hubei Province: Arrange a special car to go down to the countryside, to the lake area, and go as far as Jianli and Honghu to purchase goods. Otherwise, it is difficult to get goods, and the goods are too tight.

Things are rare, and the price will definitely go up if things are missing.