Crawfish farmers happy: Cajun lobster bigger, prices better

By

Posted 7:55AM on Wednesday, March 20, 2002

LAFAYETTE, La. - It's the best crawfish season in years, with bigger crawfish and better prices, farmers say. "It's been awhile since I've seen a season like this, the quality of crop. It's time to go out and eat," said Jeff Lyons, a wholesale distributor and fisherman in Crowley. He said Acadiana should be able to enjoy backyard boils well after Lent. Prices range from 50 cents to $1.35 depending on the size of the crawfish, according to area farmers. Last year, years of drought had left crawfish so scarce that they sold at more than $3 a pound live, with a three-pound boiled order going for $15 and up to Acadiana Lyons, who markets to Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans and Houston, said the drop in price will let fishermen sell in volume to other marketers and to the public. The size and price change are obvious this year, said Jerry Bourg, general manager of Lafayette's restaurant. "The most significant change has been the grade," Bourg said. "This year, we've been serving a better size and quality than we had last year, and we're not even in the highlight of the season." For the last three years, sales dropped because of the steep price, said Jason Lamm, who owns Crawfish Time in Lafayette, along with his brother Brant Lamm. "I can't complain," Jason Lamm said. "We'll probably double from last year on our sales." For large crawfish, he said, he pays anywhere from $1.15 to $1.35 per pound, depending upon if he's buying from a farmer or wholesaler. Good Friday and Easter Sunday are prime days for boils. Lamm said people are already placing orders for Good Friday. The warm weather and rains have helped the crop, said Lamm, whose family also farms ponds. "The catch is picking up, especially this week and last week with the warmer weather," Lamm said. "We're expecting it to really kick in the next couple of weeks."