Brian Jeffrey
Emerging Seafood Trends in Tet Markets
As the Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, there’s a noticeable increase in the popularity of certain food items among the wealthy in Vietnam. One of these is the budget-friendly Aukobe beef, which appears to be sourced from stock nearing its expiration date. On the other hand, the Mediterranean red devil shrimp has been introduced at a staggering price of $150-200 per kilogram, making it highly sought after.
Aukobe Beef: Affordable Yet Questionable Quality
Dubbed as a “relative” to Japan’s prestigious Kobe beef, Aukobe beef is gaining interest due to its attractive marbled fat pattern combined with a low price. Despite claims of being “top quality,” this Australian beef is quite affordable at 220,000-270,000 VND ($9-11) per kilogram. It has seen a significant uptick in demand as 2024 closes in.
According to Trần Văn Cuong, a food retail chain manager in Hanoi, the reduced price for Aukobe beef likely stems from it being close to its expiration date, leading warehouses to mark it down for quick sale. Producers utilize technologies like fat injection to mimic the appealing marbling that high-quality beef is known for. This method, also found in Australia’s Hokubee beef, involves inserting fat into lean cuts, enhancing their visual appeal for consumers.
However, the presence of injected fat means that when Aukobe beef is thawed and cooked, it often lacks the cohesion of naturally marbled meats, which is one reason for its lower price point.
Luxury Seafood Selections for Tet Celebrations
The premium seafood market is thriving as Tet approaches. Stores are not only featuring traditional favorites like lobsters, king crabs, and abalone, but are also introducing rare imported seafood at elevated prices. Red devil shrimp from the Mediterranean stands out in this category.
Comparable in size to the large tiger shrimp available in Vietnam, red devil shrimp commands an impressive price of 3.5-4.7 million VND ($150-200) per kilogram, depending on size, typically ranging from 10 to 20 shrimp per kilogram. This pricing positions red devil shrimp as the priciest shrimp in Vietnamese markets this season, surpassing even lobster.
