The army of Hong Kongers crossing the border for fun and entertainment has eaten into sales for the city’s hairy crab retailers, who complain that sales of the delicacy during peak season have fallen by at least 30 percent compared to last year.

Gary Tsao, owner of ‘Icrab.one’ in Causeway Bay Mall, responded to the changing demand by removing one of his store’s three refrigerators and it is now also operating on limited days.

This year, it cut its crab imports from mainland China by 20 percent, citing Hong Kong residents’ preference to buy them in Shenzhen and the general slowdown in local spending.

“We now stock about two boxes a week, compared to at least one box a day in previous years,” said Tsao, a 10-year veteran of the company.

Each box usually contains 80 crabs, depending on their size.

This delicacy, known for its sweet flesh and creamy, buttery golden eggs, is only available in the fall. The season starts from late September to early October and ends in November.