For many Australians, Easter means seafood on the table. Prawns, oysters, fresh fish \u2014 it\u2019s almost a tradition. But this year, shoppers may notice something different when they head to the fish market. Prices could be climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fishmongers across Australia are warning that seafood prices may increase in the lead-up to Easter, largely due to the ongoing fuel crisis. The fishing industry relies heavily on diesel to power boats, refrigeration systems and transport trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As fuel prices surge, the cost of catching seafood rises as well. And like most industries, those extra expenses eventually flow through the supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sydney Fish Markets has already signalled that some seafood products could become more expensive. While the impact has not fully arrived yet, traders say the pressure is building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One seafood vendor at Melbourne\u2019s Queen Victoria Market, George Karamoutsos from Limnos Seafood, said the effects are likely to become clearer soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to fishmongers, the price increases may not be dramatic at first, but they are expected to appear gradually during the busy Easter period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe expect prices to go up over Easter slightly,<\/em>\u201d Karamoutsos said. Fishermen facing higher operating costs will inevitably charge more for their catch, and those increases will move down the chain \u2014 from wholesalers to retailers, and finally to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seafood lovers may already have an idea of current prices. Raw king prawns are selling for roughly $36 per kilogram, while large cooked tiger prawns can reach around $55 per kilogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other popular items, like Tasmanian salmon cutlets and oysters, remain widely available for now. But depending on how fuel prices evolve, those numbers could edge higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n