Why Abalones are so Cheap and Canned Abalones are so Expensive in Singapore

Abalone must be individually harvested from the rocky sea bed by hand, making it a labor-intensive and rare process. This is why the cost/performance ratio is very low. Abalone is found in ocean algae forests and is considered a delicacy in many cultures, with demand for it skyrocketing. It has been dubbed 'white gold' due to its high prices and pearl-like color. In Singapore, abalone prices have dropped by 5-30% during Chinese New Year, due to oversupply at abalone factories in China and shipping complications caused by the pandemic.

Abalone has a crunchy texture similar to conch and jellyfish, but it doesn't have a distinctive flavor of its own. It acquires the flavor of the ingredients with which it is cooked. Most abalone species can only thrive in cold waters, such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the western side of North America. Red abalone is the largest species of abalone in the world and the most common abalone found in northern California.

In some countries, such as China and Japan, abalone is part of culture and tradition and appears at specific times of the year, such as New Year. People have been comparing prices with different countries such as Malaysia, Taiwan and mainland China, where mini abalone is cheaper than Singapore's selling price.

When picking a canned abalone, consider the flavour, texture and quality of the product. Australia and New Zealand produce some of the best quality abalones, so these are always a good choice. If you're looking for a particular flavour or type of canned abalone, make sure to check the label carefully. For example, some brands specialise in producing soups or sauces, while others use brine or broth. Seasonality is also important when choosing the best-canned abalone – during Chinese New Year (CNY), for example, many people prefer to cook with whole abalones. If you're looking for a good all-around canned abalone, we recommend opting for one that is 425g in size. These tend to produce the best results in terms of flavour and texture.

Commercial Abalone brands originally come from the warm waters off the coast of Japan and Mexico. The best brands like Chuen Jia Fu abalone, Calmex abalone, Skylight or New Moon abalone in Singapore carry canned abalone from Mexico. The most popular way to eat abalone is to fry it, but it can also be steamed, grilled, raw or used in a soup or braise stew.

The best canned abalones in Singapore can be found by considering flavour, texture and quality of the product. Australia and New Zealand produce some of the best quality abalones so these are always a good choice. When picking a canned abalone make sure to check the label carefully for particular flavour or type of canned abalone.