CONSUMERS are increasingly wanting to have something special on the table at Christmas and a big, bright southern rock lobster is one such item.
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It is what’s keeping SA seafood retailer Ferguson Australia busier than ever, according to owner Debra Ferguson.
“People are not wanting to miss out at the last minute, so there have been many pre-orders this year,” she said.
Mrs Ferguson said Christmas orders started in October and finished late last week.
“The majority of orders we cook fresh and then blast freeze for those needing to travel,” she said.
“This gives them very good quality lobster meat when they thaw, so it is also good for gifts.”
Mrs Ferguson said people also often bought some of their seafood in advance and put it in the freezer.
“However it does retain its freshness better if we blast freeze it here,” she said.
Southern rock lobster is sourced all along the SA coast, with prices ranging from $95 to $130 a kilogram, depending on where it’s bought and export demand.
Ferguson Australia has seafood outlets on Kangaroo Island, Port Macdonnell near Mount Gambier, and at Hendon in Adelaide.
After revamping their website, Mrs Ferguson said online orders had also skyrocketed across Australia.
Prawns, oysters, hot and cold smoked fish, snapper, salmon, barramundi, whiting, gummy shark and flathead were also popular at Christmas.
“We have very good seafood that comes from well-looked after, sustainable fisheries,” she said.
“There are a lot of people that work very hard to make sure we have quality seafood on our tables at Christmas.”
Fergusons also sell lobster oil, which goes well with an egg mayonnaise, Mrs Ferguson said.
The Ferguson family business started in 1969 when former farmer Robert Ferguson started fishing in the South East.
His son Andrew continued the fishing business in 1980, and with wife Debra started the Ferguson Australia retail business in 2003.
