Fresh abalone prices depend on variety, size grade and place of origin

Fresh abalone prices refer to the market trading quotations for live, fresh abalone. In the trade, they are usually graded and priced by tou, that is, the number of abalone per jin. The smaller the tou number, the larger the individual size, and the higher the unit price usually is, so size grade is the most direct factor affecting fresh abalone prices. Compared with processed dried abalone, fresh abalone is relatively more affordable and suits everyday cooking and household consumption.

In terms of variety and place of origin, domestically farmed abalone is mainly made up of species such as the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) and the varied abalone (Haliotis diversicolor), with the main producing areas concentrated in Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong, while the market also has imported supplies from places such as Australia and South Africa. There is a price gap between farmed abalone and wild-caught abalone, and generally wild or semi-wild farmed abalone commands a higher price.

Fresh abalone prices are not fixed; they fluctuate with the seasons and with supply and demand. Seedling stocking volume, the farming cycle, weather changes such as typhoons, disease and feed costs all affect the volume brought to market and are further passed on to the final retail price. Before and after holidays, catering demand increases, and the market often rises as well.

When buying, consumers can judge quality and value for money from several aspects. First check whether the abalone is live and fresh; if it contracts when touched and has a strong grip, that indicates better freshness. Then observe whether the flesh is thick and the surface intact, and it should not smell off. When buying wholesale, it is advisable to compare quotations for different sizes and places of origin, and choose a suitable tou number based on intended use, to get a good deal.