Fresh Lobster thumbnail

Fresh Lobster Market Overview 2026

Sub Product
Fresh Clawed Lobster, Fresh Norway Lobster, Fresh Slipper Lobster, Fresh Spiny Rock Lobster
HS Code
030632
Last Updated
2026-05-14
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
  • Fresh Lobster market coverage spans 99 countries.
  • 409 exporter companies and 517 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
  • 11,672 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 20 countries.
  • 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
  • Wholesale sample entries: 5; farmgate sample entries: 3.
  • Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
  • Page data last updated on 2026-05-14.

Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Fresh Lobster

Analyze 11,672 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Fresh Lobster.

Fresh Lobster Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum

Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Fresh Lobster to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Fresh Lobster: Philippines (+60.0%), Panama (-58.5%), Indonesia (-37.3%).

Fresh Lobster Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary

As of 2025-06, benchmark Fresh Lobster country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-11, countries with visible Fresh Lobster transaction unit prices: Philippines (66.00 USD / kg), Australia (56.86 USD / kg), France (50.99 USD / kg), Netherlands (36.32 USD / kg), Poland (35.05 USD / kg), 10 more countries.
CountryYoY ChangeTransaction Count2025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-05
Canada-6.0%1,58121.56 USD / kg (467,740.664 kg)26.67 USD / kg (164,244.91 kg)28.26 USD / kg (78,280.459 kg)29.84 USD / kg (170,829.96 kg)29.27 USD / kg (152,404.95 kg)32.50 USD / kg (104,239.82 kg)
Australia+27.1%60346.50 USD / kg (16,869.93 kg)51.63 USD / kg (26,702.82 kg)48.42 USD / kg (12,656.4 kg)53.65 USD / kg (10,874.1 kg)42.03 USD / kg (5,406.6 kg)56.86 USD / kg (1,606 kg)
Indonesia-37.3%2110.00 USD / kg (18.4 kg)50.00 USD / kg (150.96 kg)- (-)32.00 USD / kg (16.8 kg)- (-)- (-)
Pakistan-0.3%6736.99 USD / kg (2,987 kg)7.00 USD / kg (1,451 kg)6.96 USD / kg (11,609 kg)6.94 USD / kg (6,515 kg)6.94 USD / kg (24,034 kg)6.95 USD / kg (7,074 kg)
India-4.0%45721.66 USD / kg (13,024.5 kg)21.87 USD / kg (6,545.65 kg)22.18 USD / kg (19,836.9 kg)23.51 USD / kg (23,511.45 kg)24.80 USD / kg (19,764.95 kg)25.65 USD / kg (18,636.15 kg)
Netherlands-1.3%6938.65 USD / kg (156.12 kg)33.51 USD / kg (134.54 kg)34.93 USD / kg (112.7 kg)36.27 USD / kg (61.78 kg)36.84 USD / kg (74.92 kg)36.32 USD / kg (2,245.48 kg)
France+2.6%5237.81 USD / kg (339.87 kg)39.47 USD / kg (273 kg)34.19 USD / kg (178.87 kg)58.71 USD / kg (128.88 kg)47.28 USD / kg (276.11 kg)50.99 USD / kg (194.39 kg)
Vietnam-1.8%6,85431.60 USD / kg (914,975.301 kg)31.40 USD / kg (1,206,571.2 kg)31.29 USD / kg (1,842,096.202 kg)31.63 USD / kg (2,140,405.199 kg)31.59 USD / kg (2,198,132.851 kg)31.37 USD / kg (1,108,061.951 kg)
Panama-58.5%49- (-)4.99 USD / kg (2,291.85 kg)4.89 USD / kg (8,630 kg)4.55 USD / kg (13,525 kg)4.66 USD / kg (8,820 kg)4.84 USD / kg (6,650 kg)
Sri Lanka-8- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Fresh Lobster Global Supply Chain Coverage
926 companies
409 exporters and 517 importers are mapped for Fresh Lobster.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Fresh Lobster, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.

Fresh Lobster Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals

409 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Fresh Lobster. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.

Fresh Lobster Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles

Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 409 total exporter companies in the Fresh Lobster supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Vietnam)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-05
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Food ManufacturingFishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Vietnam)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-04
Recently Export Partner Companies: 3
Industries: Crop ProductionFood ManufacturingFishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingFood ManufacturingDistribution / Wholesale
(Vietnam)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-04-12
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Industries: OthersFood PackagingFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFood Manufacturing
(Mexico)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-04-12
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food Services And Drinking PlacesFood PackagingFishing AquacultureFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: TradeFarming / Production / Processing / PackingDistribution / Wholesale
(United States)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-04-17
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Freight Forwarding And IntermodalBrokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: TradeLogistics
(Panama)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-04-12
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing
Fresh Lobster Global Exporter Coverage
409 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Fresh Lobster supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Fresh Lobster opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.

Top Exporting Countries for Fresh Lobster (HS Code 030632) in 2024

For Fresh Lobster in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
RankCountryVolumeValue
1Canada43,467,393 kg863,467,247.52 USD
2United States28,749,650 kg536,742,090 USD
3United Kingdom2,416,845 kg63,252,036.94 USD
4Netherlands1,423,880 kg36,020,001.385 USD
5Hong Kong980,315 kg23,338,782.476 USD
6Ireland603,049.048 kg13,563,218.624 USD
7Germany493,332 kg10,722,691.865 USD
8India147,990 kg4,113,812.277 USD
9Namibia45,432 kg4,082,978.793 USD
10Myanmar [Burma]207,083 kg3,556,932.488 USD

Fresh Lobster Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary

Track Fresh Lobster exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.

Fresh Lobster Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks

517 importer companies are mapped for Fresh Lobster demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.

Fresh Lobster Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners

Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 517 total importer companies tracked for Fresh Lobster. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-08
Recently Import Partner Companies: 3
Industries: Food ManufacturingFishing AquacultureFood Packaging
Value Chain Roles: -
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-12
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-07-08
Recently Import Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Food ManufacturingFishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: -
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-08-23
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Brokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: -
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-12
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-12
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
Global Importer Coverage
517 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Fresh Lobster.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Fresh Lobster buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.

Top Import Demand Countries for Fresh Lobster (HS Code 030632) in 2024

For Fresh Lobster in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
RankCountryVolumeValue
1United States19,709,059 kg356,983,965 USD
2Canada15,186,690 kg244,352,586.564 USD
3Hong Kong3,790,832 kg112,851,290.533 USD
4Italy2,719,995 kg65,895,197.931 USD
5Spain2,408,363.83 kg53,056,693.589 USD
6South Korea1,453,870.65 kg41,154,261 USD
7Belgium605,058.75 kg17,301,892.026 USD
8Netherlands1,333,035.718 kg14,953,665.128 USD
9Japan489,328 kg14,516,493.329 USD
10United Kingdom526,985 kg13,773,926.582 USD

Fresh Lobster Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary

Analyze Fresh Lobster origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.

Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Lobster

Fresh Lobster Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Fresh Lobster wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2025-11, countries with visible Fresh Lobster wholesale unit prices: France (48.42 USD / kg), Spain (45.04 USD / kg), Ukraine (13.85 USD / kg).
Country2025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-05
Spain64.75 USD / kg46.72 USD / kg46.33 USD / kg52.61 USD / kg47.73 USD / kg45.04 USD / kg
France47.16 USD / kg47.20 USD / kg46.93 USD / kg47.25 USD / kg46.98 USD / kg48.42 USD / kg
South Korea34.49 USD / kg51.02 USD / kg46.25 USD / kg35.38 USD / kg36.27 USD / kg-
Turkiye45.90 USD / kg57.38 USD / kg55.90 USD / kg51.60 USD / kg58.12 USD / kg-
Ukraine14.01 USD / kg13.94 USD / kg14.07 USD / kg14.12 USD / kg13.97 USD / kg13.85 USD / kg

Fresh Lobster Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries

Compare Fresh Lobster wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 5 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1Spain55.20 USD / kg16.66 USD / kg137.50 USD / kg+2.2%
2France47.94 USD / kg10.61 USD / kg108.45 USD / kg+3.8%
3South Korea40.91 USD / kg28.26 USD / kg60.37 USD / kg+18.6%
4Turkiye53.91 USD / kg29.77 USD / kg93.21 USD / kg-5.6%
5Ukraine13.79 USD / kg13.19 USD / kg14.18 USD / kg-1.3%

Latest Fresh Lobster Wholesale Export Price Updates

Use the latest 5 Fresh Lobster wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2026-05-01LAN****** ***** ******* ***** ******** * ******* ******111.50 USD / kg
2026-05-01LAN******** ******* ****** ***** ********* ****** * ******* ******11.15 USD / kg
2026-05-01HOM*** ****** ******* * ****** * ******* ******45.77 USD / kg
2026-05-01LAN****** **** ******* ********* ****** * ******* ******88.02 USD / kg
2026-05-01Cig*** * ******* ************* ****** ******* *********72.85 USD / kg

Global Farmgate Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Lobster

Fresh Lobster Monthly Farmgate Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Fresh Lobster farmgate unit-price benchmarks by country to monitor supplier-side cost movement.
In 2025-07, countries with visible Fresh Lobster farmgate unit prices: Denmark (7.16 USD / kg).
Country2025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-05
Denmark6.09 USD / kg7.16 USD / kg----

Fresh Lobster Farmgate Cost Trends by Major Exporting Supplier Countries

Compare Fresh Lobster farmgate price levels and YoY changes across the top 1 exporting countries to understand origin-side supplier cost structure.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1Denmark6.51 USD / kg5.21 USD / kg8.87 USD / kg-28.1%

Latest Fresh Lobster Farmgate Export Cost Updates

Review the latest 3 Fresh Lobster farmgate updates to monitor origin-side export cost and supplier pricing shifts.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2025-07-01Fre** ******* ********* ************ * *** * * ****** *********** ******* *********** ***** * ******1.57 USD / kg
2025-07-01Fre** ******* ********* ************ * *** * * ****** *********** ******* *********** ***** * ******12.18 USD / kg
2024-08-01Fre** ******* ********** * *** * * ****** *********** ******* *********** ***** * ******10.46 USD / kg

Classification

Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Fishery Product

Raw Material

Commodity GroupCrustaceans (lobsters)
Scientific NameHomarus americanus; Homarus gammarus; Panulirus spp.; Jasus spp.
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions
  • Wild fishery resource (not primarily cultivated): habitat and stock productivity depend on ocean temperature, ecosystem conditions, and management controls
  • Cold-temperate continental shelf habitats for Homarus stocks; tropical/subtropical reef and shelf habitats for many spiny/rock lobster fisheries
Main VarietiesHomarus (clawed lobsters), Panulirus (spiny lobsters), Jasus (rock lobsters)
Consumption Forms
  • Live whole lobster (premium fresh trade)
  • Fresh/chilled whole lobster
  • Fresh/chilled tails or picked meat for foodservice and retail prepared foods
Grading Factors
  • Size/weight category
  • Shell condition (hard-shell vs new-shell)
  • Vitality/survivability indicators for live shipments
  • Physical integrity (missing claws/legs, shell damage)
  • Meat fill (buyer- or market-specific evaluation)

Market

Fresh lobster is a high-value, highly perishable seafood product traded internationally in both live and chilled forms, with trade dynamics strongly shaped by air-freight logistics and destination-market demand. North American supply (notably Canada and the United States) is central for American lobster (Homarus americanus), while Australia is a key exporter for rock/spiny lobster categories into premium Asian demand. Major import demand is concentrated in the United States and Greater China, with additional high-value demand in selected EU and Northeast Asian markets. Market conditions are structurally volatile due to climate-driven stock shifts, fisheries management constraints, and periodic trade-policy and market-access disruptions.
Market GrowthMixed (medium-term outlook)strong premium-demand underpinned by episodic volatility
Major Producing Countries
  • CanadaMajor harvester and exporter in the North American lobster supply chain (Atlantic Canada fisheries).
  • United StatesMajor harvester and exporter; Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock is a key production base for American lobster.
  • AustraliaMajor producer/exporter for rock/spiny lobster categories serving premium markets, including China when market access allows.
Major Exporting Countries
  • CanadaReported by FAO GLOBEFISH as the largest exporter of North American lobster; the United States is a primary destination market for Canadian exports.
  • United StatesKey exporter and domestic market; exports can be sensitive to fisheries regulations and ecosystem conditions.
  • AustraliaKey exporter for rock/spiny lobster into Asian premium demand; trade flows can shift materially with changes in China market access.
Major Importing Countries
  • United StatesLargest destination for Canadian lobster exports in many periods; also a major importer and consumption market.
  • ChinaMajor demand center for premium lobster; trade flows and competition between suppliers are frequently highlighted in FAO GLOBEFISH market analysis.
  • Hong KongImportant re-export and high-end seafood distribution hub in the Greater China trade.
  • South KoreaIdentified among key markets for Canadian lobster exports in Government of Canada communications.
  • BelgiumListed among key EU markets for Canadian lobster exports in Government of Canada communications.
  • SpainListed among key EU markets for Canadian lobster exports in Government of Canada communications.

Specification

Major VarietiesAmerican lobster (Homarus americanus), European lobster (Homarus gammarus), Spiny/rock lobsters (Panulirus spp.; Jasus spp.)
Physical Attributes
  • Sold as live whole lobster or chilled whole/chilled portions depending on route-to-market and buyer requirements
  • Shell condition (hard-shell vs new-shell) influences survivability in live transport and perceived meat fill
  • Vitality indicators for live product (responsive movement, intact appendages, low stress) are central to buyer acceptance
Compositional Metrics
  • Meat fill and yield are commonly assessed indirectly through shell condition, seasonal biology (molt/reproductive stage), and handling stress rather than a single universal numeric threshold
Grades
  • Size/weight categories (market grades) are widely used in trade contracts
  • Condition-based grading is common for live product (e.g., hard-shell vs new-shell; intact vs damaged)
Packaging
  • Live lobster is commonly shipped in ventilated, insulated cartons with cooling media; packaging prioritizes cold, moisture retention, and airflow
  • Chilled whole/portions are commonly packed in food-grade liners with gel packs/ice packs and insulated outer packaging to maintain temperature control

Supply Chain

Value Chain
  • Harvest (trap/pot or diver capture) -> holding/conditioning (lobster pounds or tanks) -> grading and packing -> rapid refrigerated transport (often air for live) -> importer/wholesaler distribution -> retail and foodservice
Demand Drivers
  • Premium foodservice demand and celebratory/holiday consumption (including gifting occasions in East Asian markets)
  • High willingness to pay for live product in destination markets when logistics and market access are stable
  • Brand and origin signaling (e.g., Atlantic Canada and Maine positioning) and sustainability assurances where certifications/management claims are valued
Temperature
  • Live product requires strict cold-chain control without freezing; temperature excursions and dehydration drive rapid quality loss and mortality
  • Chilled product quality is highly sensitive to time-temperature history; fast throughput and continuous refrigeration are critical
Atmosphere Control
  • Live shipments rely on packaging that maintains moisture and oxygen availability (breathable/vented designs and careful stacking/handling)
  • Some supply chains use specialized live-holding systems (circulating seawater and oxygen management) prior to export to stabilize condition
Shelf Life
  • Fresh/live lobster has a short commercial window; delays at ports, airports, or borders can quickly convert sellable product into loss
  • Stress from capture, holding, and transport can reduce survival and meat quality, elevating claims risk in long-distance trade

Risks

Climate HighOcean warming and episodic marine heat events can materially change lobster productivity and distribution (including northward shifts for cold-water stocks), driving supply volatility, quota/effort changes, and localized fishery declines that can disrupt global trade commitments.Diversify sourcing across species groups and origins (Homarus vs spiny/rock categories), maintain flexible procurement windows, and monitor fishery science/management updates from key regulators.
Logistics HighFresh/live lobster trade is highly exposed to air-freight capacity, port/airport congestion, border delays, and temperature-control failures, which can rapidly increase mortality and claims rates and cause abrupt price swings in destination markets.Use validated packaging and lane-specific SOPs, pre-book uplift during peak demand periods, and build contingency lanes (alternate airports, backup carriers, secondary markets for downgraded product).
Regulatory Compliance MediumFishery management measures (season changes, effort controls, protected species mitigation rules) and market-access requirements can tighten unexpectedly, affecting supply availability and compliance costs for exporters and importers.Maintain up-to-date compliance mapping by origin fishery and destination market, and require documentation that supports legality and management-area traceability.
Sustainability MediumProtected species interactions (e.g., whale entanglement concerns in fixed-gear fisheries) and broader sustainability scrutiny can trigger retailer/foodservice restrictions, certification requirements, or sourcing bans that reshape trade flows.Prefer verifiable management improvements (gear marking, weak links, ropeless trials where applicable) and align procurement with recognized sustainability programs when credible for the fishery.
Labor And Human Rights MediumSome spiny lobster supply chains have documented severe diver safety and human rights risks, exposing buyers to reputational harm, import detentions, and customer delisting when due diligence is insufficient.Implement enhanced due diligence for diver-caught lobster origins (supplier audits, third-party assessments, and sourcing policies that favor safer capture methods such as trap-caught/scuba-free programs where available).
Sustainability
  • Climate-driven ocean warming and marine heatwaves can reduce lobster survival/growth and shift distributions, creating supply volatility and management pressure
  • Bycatch/entanglement risk for protected marine mammals in fixed-gear trap/pot fisheries (notably the North Atlantic right whale in U.S. Northeast lobster fisheries) can drive regulatory constraints and market scrutiny
  • IUU fishing and weak enforcement risks in some spiny lobster fisheries can undermine traceability and market access for buyers requiring verified legality
  • Stock sustainability depends on effective fishery management (effort controls, size limits, closed areas/seasons), which can change and affect export availability
Labor & Social
  • Severe occupational safety and human rights concerns have been documented in some Caribbean spiny lobster supply chains relying on dangerous diving (e.g., Miskito communities in Honduras and Nicaragua), including decompression sickness and disability risk
  • Worker safety risks exist across harvesting and processing (handling live animals, cold environments, sharp tools), with heightened concern where labor protections and oversight are weak

FAQ

Which countries are major exporters in the global fresh/live lobster trade?Canada and the United States are frequently identified as major exporters for North American lobster, while Australia is a key exporter for rock/spiny lobster categories into premium Asian demand. FAO GLOBEFISH and ITC Trade Map are commonly used references for tracking these trade flows.
Why is fresh/live lobster trade so sensitive to logistics disruptions?Fresh/live lobster has a short commercial window and depends on continuous temperature control and rapid transport (often by air for long distances). Delays, temperature excursions, or dehydration during handling can quickly increase mortality and reduce quality, leading to losses and claims.
What are the main sustainability and social issues buyers should watch in lobster supply chains?Key sustainability issues include climate-driven supply volatility and protected-species interactions in fixed-gear fisheries (such as right whale entanglement concerns in the U.S. Northeast). A major social risk is diver safety and human rights concerns documented in some Caribbean spiny lobster supply chains in Honduras and Nicaragua, which has driven initiatives promoting safer, responsibly traded “scuba-free” lobster.

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