Tridge summary
In 2024, global lobster trade remained robust, with export volumes reaching 185,320 tons. China's demand was not suppressed by economic slowdown, and from January to March 2025, with the lifting of a four-year ban, Australian rock lobster imports surged to 2,779 tons. Global trade faces challenges including tariff increases and retaliatory measures, which have profound impacts on trade, especially for the three major lobster trading countries—China, the United States, and Canada—which must navigate the resulting uncertainty.
Supply Situation
Global Lobster Supply
In the United States, Maine (which accounts for 90% of US lobster supply) saw catches drop to a 15-year low in 2024, approximately 86 million pounds (around 39,000 tons). However, industry professionals believe resources remain stable, with catches stabilizing after several years of fluctuation. Despite this, studies on rising sea temperatures in Maine Bay have raised long-term concerns, with researchers predicting lobsters may gradually migrate to cooler northern waters. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) had proposed establishing a minimum legal catch size, but this proposal was abandoned in February 2025 due to strong opposition from US lobster fishermen.
Preliminary data indicates that Canada's Nova Scotia lobster catches in 2024 remained nearly consistent with 2023, approaching 7,690 tons. In Quebec, new exploratory fishing permits are planned for distribution between April and June to assess lobster resource capacity. This initiative includes data collection aimed at ensuring sustainable lobster fisheries.
Markets and International Trade
In 2024, global fresh and frozen lobster trade totaled $4.7 billion, compared to $4.23 billion in 2023. In terms of import volumes, the largest importers are China, the United States, and Canada, while the primary exporters are Canada, the United States, and Vietnam.
Canada
According to Statistics Canada, the United States and China remained Canada's largest lobster markets in 2024, accounting for over 80% of total exports. By value, these exports totaled $2.49 billion, with the United States accounting for $1.9 billion and China $500 million.
Looking toward 2025, Canada faces tariff
Supply Situation
Global Lobster Supply
In the United States, Maine (which accounts for 90% of US lobster supply) saw catches drop to a 15-year low in 2024, approximately 86 million pounds (around 39,000 tons). However, industry professionals believe resources remain stable, with catches stabilizing after several years of fluctuation. Despite this, studies on rising sea temperatures in Maine Bay have raised long-term concerns, with researchers predicting lobsters may gradually migrate to cooler northern waters. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) had proposed establishing a minimum legal catch size, but this proposal was abandoned in February 2025 due to strong opposition from US lobster fishermen.
Preliminary data indicates that Canada's Nova Scotia lobster catches in 2024 remained nearly consistent with 2023, approaching 7,690 tons. In Quebec, new exploratory fishing permits are planned for distribution between April and June to assess lobster resource capacity. This initiative includes data collection aimed at ensuring sustainable lobster fisheries.
Markets and International Trade
In 2024, global fresh and frozen lobster trade totaled $4.7 billion, compared to $4.23 billion in 2023. In terms of import volumes, the largest importers are China, the United States, and Canada, while the primary exporters are Canada, the United States, and Vietnam.
Canada
According to Statistics Canada, the United States and China remained Canada's largest lobster markets in 2024, accounting for over 80% of total exports. By value, these exports totaled $2.49 billion, with the United States accounting for $1.9 billion and China $500 million.
Looking toward 2025, Canada faces tariff
Original content
In 2024, the global lobster trade remained robust, with export volumes reaching 185,320 tons. China's demand was not suppressed by economic slowdown, and from January to March 2025, with the lifting of a four-year ban, Australian rock lobster imports surged to 2,779 tons. Global trade faces challenges including tariff increases and retaliatory measures, which have profound impacts on trade, especially for the three major lobster trading countries—China, the United States, and Canada—which must navigate the resulting uncertainties. Supply Situation Global Lobster Supply In the United States, Maine's (which accounts for 90% of US lobster supply) catch dropped to a 15-year low in 2024, approximately 86 million pounds (around 39,000 tons). However, industry experts believe resources remain stable, with catch levels stabilizing after several years of fluctuation. Despite this, research on rising sea temperatures in Maine Bay has raised long-term concerns, with researchers predicting ...
Source: Foodmate
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