To say the opening month of the lobster fishery in lobster fishing areas (LFA) 33 and 34 has been challenging would be an understatement.
“It’s been an interesting season so far,” said Kris Vascotto, executive director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance.
“Very reminiscent of 2024 landings. Just like last year, they are up in some places, down in others. Overall, the supply matrix is comparative to last season. The big difference is we opened up a week early just because of the way the calendar worked which means by this calendar date we’re ahead with landings compared to last year. At the same time, given that we’re trying to hold some for the bigger holidays past Christmas and New Year’s like the Lunar New Year in China, which is its latest date for the next 10 years, creates a bit of a challenge considering we’re targeting product to be held to that point.”
Quality was also an issue during the opening weeks of the season. “It was an issue last year as well. It seems to be starting to resolve itself, but it happens every year. There has been some real diligence practiced on shore to make sure the appropriate product goes to the appropriate logistic route,” said Vascotto.
Price-wise, the season opened in the $8.25 to $8.50 per pound range, about 30 per cent less than the record setting 2024/25 season opening price of $11.50 a pound. As 2025 was drawing to a close, the shore price hadn’t changed.
“It hasn’t moved since the first of the season,” said Lockeport lobster buyer Mike Cotter, citing the Chinese tariff on Canadian seafood as the reason.
“We’re down 75 per cent in shipping to China compared to last year,” said Cotter. “We’re hoping after the new year that the shore price may come up and the market might pick up for China.”
The lower shore price “is not too surprising given what’s going on,” said Vascotto. “Look at the price last year and this year and it almost equates to the 25 per cent tariff coming in from China.”
The Chinese tariffs have had a dramatic impact on demand for lobster from Canada and the U.S.A., with live and frozen lobster exports from Canada down about 70 per cent by value year over year, said Geoff Irvine, executive director of the Lobster Council of Canada.
“Market conditions are very challenging for the fall seasons for both live and frozen lobster products,” said Irvine. “The lobster industry in Canada, in general, is suffering from trade and tariff uncertainty in our key markets and a chronic ROI challenge for both the harvesters and shoreside sectors.”
Adding to the marketing challenges, high lobster landings in Maine in November and December, which is somewhat abnormal, meant there was considerable competition with raw product being landed on both sides of the border at the same time, translating to a lower price, at least for the winter season, said Vascotto.
Going into the New Year, the seafood industry was gearing up to meet another marketing hurdle — traceability requirements for exports to the European Union, which come into effect Jan. 10.
“The new traceability requirements from the E.U. are going to be challenging and we are encouraging the first lobster buyers to ensure they understand the changes and embrace digital traceability systems. By the spring, the harvesters are going to have to share additional information like digital signatures, so we are working with DFO and the harvester associations to spread the word that this change is coming,” said Irvine.
Vascotto said the new requirements are going to be a very significant challenge not just for Canadian lobster exporters. Products from anywhere will be subject to the requirements.
“In some respect it is a perfect time of year for this to happen, after Christmas and New Year’s. The E.U. market is in a bit of a lull until closer to Easter and the spring months. Thankfully that’s going to give us time on the shore to reconcile this new system and make sure that we collect the necessary data to be able to continue to access those markets,” said Vascotto.
Meanwhile, the search continues for alternative markets for Canadian lobster and seafood.
The Lobster Council of Canada is leading an Export Café mission that will travel to the U.K., Germany and the Netherlands with 13 Atlantic Canadian companies in February.
Irvine said the council is also working on their marketing strategy for 2026–2027, which includes securing funding from the federal and provincial governments.
Vascotto said a lot of the focus right now is trying to find alternative markets, given the uncertain challenges.
“The challenges we have at the start of each season seem to be getting a little more pronounced as climate change seems to kick in. There’s never been a better time to try and accommodate those environmental changes to support what we’re trying to do in the market,” said Vascotto.
Adjusting the season start by pushing it off by a week or two, giving more lobsters time to harden up their shells after moulting and make it to those premium markets is something industry should seriously look at, suggested Vascotto, “in order for us to get around some of these issues we face every single year.”
