Hairy-crab seller feels the pinch

Tung Cheung-wah, 36, has been selling hairy crabs for five years from a shop at the junction of Lockhart Road and Marsh Road in Wan Chai. He also works full-time in a hotel.

He is married and has a two-year-old daughter.

What's on your mind? Prices are about 30 per cent down this year because of the plunge in the stock market. It's an interesting phenomenon that every October when we begin to sell crabs, there is a drop in the market and the situation affects my business.

How is business this year compared to last year? I guess I will sell a tonne of crabs this year, while last year I sold of a tonne. The increase in sales is due to the improvement in quality of the crabs and the drop in prices because of less demand in major markets such as Shanghai and Taiwan.

Where do you get your crabs from and what is the high season? I get them from wholesalers in Hong Kong who import directly from the mainland. The peak season starts in mid-October and lasts till December.

What criteria should customers use to choose crabs? The crabs should have moving eyes, feel heavy, have a dark-green colour and look shiny. Avoid dull and pale-looking crabs. In October, female crabs have a better taste, while male crabs are tastier in November.