Extreme weather conditions in Louisiana, including drought, heat, and saltwater intrusion, have devastated the state's crawfish harvest, leading to a significant shortage and a sharp increase in prices for consumers. The crawfish industry, critical to Louisiana's economy, has been severely impacted, with the governor issuing a disaster declaration. The shortage has affected traditional events like Mardi Gras and businesses selling seafood during the Lent season, with prices for boiled crawfish rising from $3-5 per pound to $10-12 per pound.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a disaster declaration for the state's crawfish industry due to extreme weather and drought, causing a shortage of the crustaceans. The state, known for its crawfish cuisine, faces potential losses of nearly $140 million for this year's harvest season. Severe drought and saltwater intrusion have disrupted crawfish populations, impacting farmers and the economy. The shortage has also affected cultural events like Mardi Gras, prompting a request for federal relief.
The start of Houston's crawfish season is slow and expensive due to a shortage caused by recent weather conditions in south Louisiana. Ragin Cajun's owner, Luke B. Mandola, explained that the limited supply has driven prices up, with the cost per pound increasing from $9 to $15. As a result, the restaurant has opted to wait until the supply increases before putting crawfish back on the menu.
Louisiana's crawfish harvest is expected to be the worst on record due to drought and weather impacts, leading to scarcity and high prices. Heat and recent cold weather have affected the population, with farmers hesitant to invest in bait and labor until conditions improve. The scarcity is impacting seafood suppliers, restaurants, and consumers, with prices nearly double compared to last year. Louisiana, the largest harvester of crawfish in the nation, is hoping for a supply pickup in the coming weeks to normalize prices in time for the Lenten season.
The average cost of boiled crawfish in Baton Rouge is around $4.83 per pound, with the low being $3.99 and many vendors staying close to $5. The average cost of live crawfish is down to about $2.82 per pound, with most spots keeping prices below $3. Some restaurants have already cut off sales for live crawfish, so it's best to call ahead.
Phat Eatery, a Malaysian restaurant in Katy, Houston, has introduced a unique-to-Houston version of crawfish: curry crawfish, Malaysian style. The crawfish is slicked with sweet-and-spicy curry, flavored with warming spices and chiles tempered by turmeric and coconut milk. The dish has become increasingly popular, with the restaurant selling 300 to 350 pounds of the crawfish on a typical weekend. Customers can choose how spicy they want their crawfish, from level one to level five. The dish is available from March 11 through April 16, and prices for crawfish orders start at $20 for 2 pounds.
