🦞 Don’t Cancel the Boil Yet! Here’s When Crawfish Prices Could Finally Fall

The 2026 Louisiana crawfish season is officially underway, but limited early-season supply is driving higher prices across the state.

As of mid-January, average prices for live crawfish are around $7.24 per pound, while boiled crawfish are averaging approximately $10.10 per pound, according to The Crawfish App.

“Only about 10 percent of crawfish businesses are selling crawfish right now in January,” said Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App. “That number usually increases significantly around Super Bowl weekend.”

Higher prices typical in January, February

Despite the higher cost, industry experts say the pricing is normal for this point in the season.

“This is very normal for January and February,” King said. “Crawfish are still small and less active in colder temperatures, which makes them harder to catch. As we move closer to the heart of the season, crawfish will get bigger, supply will increase, and prices will come down.”

Normal Louisiana season

According to the LSU AgCenter, overall conditions suggest a mostly normal crawfish season across Louisiana.

LSU AgCenter Crawfish Extension Agent Todd Fontenot said crawfish farmers statewide are cautiously optimistic heading into the new year.

“Stocking has gone well, rice harvesting conditions were favorable, and there were no early freezes,” Fontenot said. “In most cases, rice stubble is in good condition and fields were not heavily damaged by harvest equipment.”

Challenges for producers

Fontenot noted that some areas of southwest Louisiana experienced drier-than-ideal conditions in the fall, which affected rice stubble regrowth. Warmer temperatures also contributed to low oxygen levels in some ponds, increasing pumping costs for farmers.

Another ongoing challenge is the presence of apple snails, particularly in areas south of Interstate 10 where surface water is used. Fontenot said the snails compete with crawfish for nutrients and oxygen and must be removed because they clog trap entrances, preventing crawfish from entering.

Optimism high for crawfish lovers

Crawfish farming is a year-round operation, with pond management before and after harvest playing a major role in production. While expenses increased due to dry conditions, Fontenot said weather patterns were not as severe or prolonged as in 2023.

Looking ahead, Fontenot said Louisiana has strong yield potential this season if extreme cold weather is avoided.

“I don’t expect consumers to see outrageous prices as the season progresses,” he said.

For now, early-season crawfish remain a premium item, but experts say prices should ease as supply increases in the weeks ahead.