No one knows what price red claw crayfish will bring in the U.S. A market for red claw will have to be developed. If red claw have to compete in the native crayfish market their production will not be economically feasible. Because of its size (4 to 6 per pound), however, it should fall into a totally new market niche and not compete with native crayfish or large lobsters. Contacts with marketing specialists indicate that red claw should have high appeal and command a high price when sold as “small lobsters.” Until large numbers are available, however, all marketing potential is speculative. One advantage of red claw will be the ability to market live,
whole animals without any need for processing. One disadvantage will be the development of a yearround supply since production cycles will be limited by cold weather from U.S. production