China’s Xuyi County has built a 40.8 billion yuan (£4.2 billion) crayfish industry, supporting local jobs, tourism and rural incomes while attracting visitors from across the country.
For many Chinese consumers, crayfish are a signature taste of summer. In Xuyi County, located in China’s Jiangsu Province, they are also the foundation of a thriving local industry.
On June 12th, the 26th Xuyi Crayfish Festival opened with a large-scale parade and a three-day crayfish banquet, drawing visitors from across the country. Behind the festive atmosphere lies an industry that has played a major role in the county’s development over the past decades.
According to local authorities, Xuyi’s crayfish industry generated a total output value of 40.8 billion yuan (about £4.2 billion) in 2025. The county has ranked first among China’s regional geographical indication brands in the aquatic products category for 11 consecutive years.
The festival offered a glimpse into the scale of the industry. Nearly 800 performers joined a themed parade through the county’s streets, while thousands of visitors gathered for the opening-day crayfish banquet. Organisers expect the event to serve around 120 tonnes of crayfish over three days.
Restaurants and food suppliers prepared extensively for the occasion. A manager of Jiangsu Hongpangpang Crayfish Industry Group said the company increased its inventory by nearly 30 per cent compared with last year to meet growing demand.
Many visitors travelled long distances to attend the festival. Tourists from provinces including Henan, Zhejiang and Shandong came to sample Xuyi’s famous crayfish dishes, particularly its well-known 13-spice flavour.
However, crayfish are more than a seasonal delicacy in Xuyi. The industry supports a significant share of the local population and has become an important source of rural income.
Official data show that nearly one in six residents works in crayfish-related sectors, including farming, processing, catering, logistics and e-commerce. Income from the crayfish industry accounts for 32.5 per cent of local farmers’ per capita disposable income.
Over the years, Xuyi has expanded its crayfish economy beyond aquaculture. The county has developed a complete industrial chain covering breeding, food production, restaurant services, tourism and online sales.
Meanwhile, local authorities continue to invest in workforce development. In 2026, the county has already provided training for nearly 2,000 people in areas such as crayfish farming, culinary skills and e-commerce operations.
As visitors gather for this year’s festival, Xuyi’s crayfish industry continues to expand its role in the county’s economy.
Additional reporting by Xinhua, yzwb.net.
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