Most Expensive Seafood
There is no denying that we all crave for a special meal sometimes. Pizza, cantaloupes and fruits are examples of foods that we all love. Another important food group that we all love is the seafood. Different oceans and seas have different varieties of seafood. And each seafood is different in terms of shape, size, color and creation.
You can buy seafood from the fishermen’s market, or buy the ones that area already processed and packaged in retail supermarkets. Generally, there are two types of seafood: cheap and affordable foods and most expensive seafood. The most expensive ones are often rare thus too hard to scout; they will require quite an investment. Below is a list of the most expensive seafood of all time.
1. Bluefin Tuna - $584 Per Pound
Bluefin tuna is among the most expensive seafood globally, with prices reaching up to $3.1 million for a single fish at auctions in Japan. This high value is attributed to its rich flavor, high demand in sushi cuisine, and declining populations due to overfishing.
2. Baby Eels - $499 Per Pound
Baby eels, known as elvers or glass eels, are among the world's most expensive seafood, fetching over $2,000 per pound. Their high value stems from their critical role in Asian aquaculture, where they're raised to maturity for dishes like unagi in Japanese cuisine.
3. Coffin Bay King Oysters - $383 Per Pound
Coffin Bay King Oysters, cultivated in South Australia's pristine waters, are among the world's most expensive seafood. Each oyster, weighing up to 1 kilogram, matures over six to seven years, resulting in a rich, robust flavor. They are priced between $70 to $100 per oyster.
4. Sea Cucumber - $116 Per Pound
Sea cucumbers, marine invertebrates prized in Asian cuisine, can command prices up to $3,500 per kilogram, particularly for the Japanese species Apostichopus japonicus. Their high cost is driven by culinary demand, medicinal uses, and overharvesting, leading to scarcity and elevated market value.
5. Uni (Sea Urchin) - $108 Per Pound
Uni, the edible gonads of sea urchins, is a prized delicacy in Japanese cuisine, known for its rich, creamy texture and unique flavor. Its high cost, reaching up to $108 per pound, stems from labor-intensive harvesting, limited edible species, and high global demand.
6. Red King Crab - $90 Per Pound
Red King Crab is among the most expensive seafood, with prices ranging from $25 to over $90 per pound, depending on size and quality. Factors such as limited availability, labor-intensive harvesting, and high demand contribute to its premium cost. For instance, Coastal Seafoods offers 10 lbs. of Super Colossal Alaskan Red King Crab Leg Clusters for $549.99.
7. Percebes (Gooseneck Barnacles) - $84 Per Pound
Percebes, or gooseneck barnacles, are among the world's most expensive seafood, fetching up to $500 per pound. Harvested from treacherous, wave-battered rocks along the coasts of Spain and Portugal, their collection is perilous, contributing to their high market value.
8. Alaskan King Crab - $82 Per Pound
Alaskan King Crab is among the most expensive seafood, prized for its sweet, tender meat and substantial size. Overfishing and environmental changes have reduced populations, leading to higher prices. For instance, Costco's 10-pound packages have surged from $349.99 to $549.99.
9. Copper River King Salmon - $64 Per Pound
Copper River King Salmon, often dubbed the "Wagyu of seafood," commands prices up to $120 per pound due to its rich, buttery flavor and high omega-3 content. Its limited seasonal availability and the challenging 300-mile migration up Alaska's Copper River contribute to its exclusivity and high cost.
10. Abalone - $59 Per Pound
Abalone, a prized marine mollusk, is among the world's most expensive seafood, with prices reaching up to $125 per pound. Its high cost stems from factors like rarity, labor-intensive harvesting, and high demand, especially in Asian cuisines where it's considered a luxury delicacy.
If you do some analysis yourself, you will conclude that, you should spend in accordance to the length of your pocket; the food you buy therefore depends on how much you can afford. If you have some good cash to spend on food, seafood should be your first choice.