Zhoushan market in east China makes 20,000 deliveries of blue crabs daily

Wholesalers from across the country are gathering in Zhoushan City in east China's Zhejiang Province as local blue crabs hit the market.

Since August 7, blue crab landings have totaled several thousand tons a day in Zhoushan, with local aquatic product markets attracting residents, wholesale buyers, and even tourists.

The Zhoushan International Aquatic Product Market, one of the largest markets in the city, is making 20,000 deliveries of blue crabs across China on average daily.

"This year the harvest is very good, sometimes it could be 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms a day. Prices are the same either online or off line," said Yuan Weidong, a local seafood merchant.

And sales both online and off line are hot.

"We are shipping 200 to 300 boxes of crabs every day, mainly to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, but also to farther places like Shaanxi, Chongqing, and Heilongjiang," said Chen Junyan, who runs an aquatic e-commerce business.

Thanks to the seasonal fishing moratorium in the East China Sea, blue crab production has been on the rise significantly after the fishing season starts, while the price has remained stable.

"The crab production this year has doubled that of last year, up to over 3,000 tons a day at most. The first-class crabs are priced at 40 to 50 yuan per 500 grams, and the cheaper ones are selling for 30 to 40 yuan per 500 grams. It is generally good," said Qiu Keting, a human resources executive at Zhoushan International Aquatic Products Market.

Oil prices fell on Thursday.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery dropped 2.83 U.S. dollars, or 4.56 percent, to settle at 59.19 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery lost 2.76 dollars, or 4.15 percent, to settle at 63.76 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.