Australian crayfish, commonly known as "yabbies" (Cherax destructor) and "redclaw" (Cherax quadricarinatus), are freshwater crustaceans native to Australia but have gained international prominence due to their robust flavor and adaptability to aquaculture. The top countries involved in harvesting and farming Australian crayfish, aside from Australia itself, include China, Thailand, and the United States. Australia leads in both wild catch and aquaculture, particularly in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, where yabbies and redclaw are popular for both domestic consumption and export. China has rapidly expanded its aquaculture industry, farming Australian crayfish species for local markets and export, while Thailand and the United States have developed smaller but growing industries, especially for the aquarium trade and specialty food markets. The global demand for Australian crayfish is driven by their culinary versatility and the relative ease of farming these hardy crustaceans.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.