Louisiana's crawfish harvest severely impacted by drought, heat, saltwater intrusion, and freeze, leading to a shortage and price increase.

Louisiana's crawfish harvest has been severely affected by drought, extreme heat, saltwater intrusion, and a harsh winter freeze, leading to a severe shortage of mudbugs, a staple in Gulf Coast seafood boils and Louisiana's "way of life." This crisis has hit both consumers and the industry, with prices for a pound of crawfish rising to $12, compared to the typical $5. Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a disaster for the impacted industry. In response to the shortage, restaurants and drive-thrus in Southwest Louisiana have adjusted their prices, with the cheapest boiled crawfish available for $4.99 per pound at Rouses Market.

March 22, 2024
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