Shanghai residents consumed a daily average of 400 tons of hairy crabs - a local delicacy - during the National Day holiday, Shanghai Morning Post reports.

The huge demand also stimulated a price rise - female crabs weighing around 175 grams enjoyed the greatest popularity, with their prices rising by 70 per cent from the pre-holiday level.

With more crabs coming to the market and the holiday ending, the prices will quickly revert to normal, business insiders say.

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