The latest industry to fall victim to the corruption crackdown conducted by authorities in China is the gourmet crab trade.

Following the cleanup done in the luxury cars and high-end spirits industries, China's anti-corruption campaign officials have begun their crackdown in the gourmet crab commerce recently. In effect, the craze over the freshwater "hairy crabs" has been gradually losing its appeal.

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This declining allure of the most highly anticipated autumn delicacy stemmed from the fear of people to be associated with the luxury market, which has been the focus of the recent aggressive corruption crackdown.

The increasing attention focused on the anti-graft and poverty campaigns launched by China's top leaders has resulted in inadvertent effects. These consequences could cost the economy to lose a substantial amount as China has been constantly recognized as the world's biggest luxury market.

In a prediction made by Bain & Co., a management consultancy, on Tuesday, China's luxury spending will decline by 2 percent due to the stricter restrictions and firmer controls.

Consequently, it should be expected that the sales on luxury items commonly given as gifts, but widely known as bribes, are going to plummet. Apart from this, banqueting options like costly liquor and crabs are also eliminated from the menu.

"Consumption (of crabs) by government officials has dropped to almost zero," disclosed Yang Weilong, vice-chairman of a China Fisheries Association branch.

Yang also shared that the retail prices of the hairy crab have even dropped by as much as 40 percent in several areas in the country. Hence, the average costs of these luxurious delicacies are currently roughly 120 yuan, or $20, for a 500-gram crab.

"It is important for major crab sellers to adjust their prices to fit general consumers, otherwise they will suffer a great collapse just like the spirit maker Moutai," Yang explained.

Prior to the corruption crackdown, sellers of these items have relied on the purchases of government officials. Nowadays, only the private consumers can be depended on to at least save the industry from getting wiped out.

Tagscrab, luxury car, China anti-graft