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French seafood in season in May:what arrives at auction, what becomes scarce

May at French fish auctions: langoustine, turbot, lobster, monkfish at their peak and best price; king scallop closes on 15 May. Substitutes and prices.

Updated 4 min readLiveCriée editorial team

May: Langoustine, Turbot, European lobster, Brown crab, Spider crab, Monkfish (anglerfish)JFMAMJJASONDIN SEASONMayLangoustineTurbotEuropean lobsterBrown crabSpider crabMonkfish (anglerfish)
Contents
  1. What arrives at auction in May?
  2. What becomes scarce?
  3. Which substitutes for the menu?
  4. Points to watch on prices
  5. Frequently asked questions

In May, the catch is at its widest: langoustine, turbot, European lobster, brown crab, spider crab, monkfish, hake, John Dory, red mullet and mackerel are in full season, often at their lowest price of the year; the king scallop (coquille Saint-Jacques), on the other hand, closes on 15 May for four and a half months. For a buyer, it is the best window of the year on the premium species.

Status as of 13 October 2026, based on the monthly sales of all French fish auctions in 2023 and 2024 (FranceAgriMer). The full calendar covers 40 species over twelve months.

What arrives at auction in May?

SpeciesWhat auction sales showWhat to know when buying
LangoustinePeak of the year: about 425 tonnes in May 2024Average price at its lowest of the year along with June, around €10.50/kg
TurbotPeak in May and June: five to six times January volumesLowest average price of the year, under €20/kg; start of the spawning period
European lobsterFull season from May to JulyAround €23/kg, against €38 in March
Brown crabFull season from May to AugustAround €6/kg
Spider crabPeak of the year, about 260 tonnesUnder €2/kg
Monkfish (anglerfish)Peak of the year, about 1,000 tonnesLowest average price, around €5/kg
Red mulletSpring high point, about 265 tonnesAround €6/kg, against €9 in March
MackerelFirst peak of the yearCheap
Hake, John Dory, brill, saithe, whelk, wedge sole (céteau)Full season

National rhythm of auction sales (FranceAgriMer, 2024); it varies from one port to another.

What becomes scarce?

  • King scallop closes on 15 May: about 850 tonnes sold at auction in May 2024, against 3,750 in March. No more fresh king scallops from French fisheries before October.
  • Warty venus clam (praire) almost disappears from the auctions: 2 tonnes in May 2024, no sales from June to August.
  • Common prawn (crevette bouquet) remains almost absent.
  • Atlantic bluefin tuna still only arrives in small quantities.
  • Herring, albacore and bouchot mussels are out of season.

Which substitutes for the menu?

A few ideas, to adapt to your menu and the day's catch.

  • If you had on the menuKing scallopIn May, think ofLangoustine, European lobsterWhy : Fishery closed; langoustine and lobster at their best price
  • If you had on the menuBrillIn May, think ofTurbotWhy : Turbot is at its lowest of the year, the price gap narrows
  • If you had on the menuWarty venus clamIn May, think ofWhelk, spider crabWhy : Clam absent, spider crab at its peak
  • If you had on the menuCommon prawnIn May, think ofLangoustine, brown crabWhy : Prawn out of season

Points to watch on prices

  1. The window for premium species. In May 2024, turbot sold at auction under €20/kg, lobster around €23, langoustine around €10.50. In December, these three prices double. A festive dish tested in May is costed with a comfortable margin, provided it is costed again before winter.
  2. King scallop: the last lots. May landings are low and fishing stops in mid-May. After that, supply is frozen or imported: the trade name, the scientific name and the catch area appear on the label (Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013, Article 35); the king scallop guide details what you are buying.
  3. Turbot spawning. The large landings of May and June overlap with the start of its spawning period (from late May to mid-July on the coasts of northern Finistère, according to an Ifremer sheet). Check the firmness of the flesh and the yield, especially on the large size grades.
  4. May bank holidays. Between 1 May, 8 May, Ascension Day and Whit Monday, several weeks include a public holiday: ask your suppliers about days without an auction, and bring your orders forward accordingly.

The food cost guide shows how to cost a portion of turbot or lobster, and the labels guide what the claims on king scallops guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Which fish is in season in May?

Turbot, monkfish, hake, John Dory, red mullet, mackerel and brill on the fish side; langoustine, European lobster, brown crab and spider crab on the crustacean side; whelk.

Why does the king scallop season stop in May?

To protect its reproduction. Fishing is closed from 15 May to 30 September, and reopens in October bed by bed.

Is turbot cheaper in May?

Yes. May and June concentrate its largest landings, and its average auction price is then at its lowest of the year, less than half of December's.

When is langoustine cheapest?

In May and June. In 2024, its average auction price was around €10 to €11/kg, against about €20 from August to December.

Sources

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