The U.S. lobster industry is looking forward to the Spring Festival dividend in the Chinese market

New York, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Although supply chains and international trade have been hit by the covid-19 pandemic, China's demand for U.S. lobster has not decreased. Many U.S. lobster exporters are stepping up their preparations for the Chinese New Year, expecting more revenue from China's strong market demand.

The Associated Press reported on the 17th that from January to November 2021, the export volume of U.S. lobster to China exceeded 6,000 tons, an increase of about 6% year-on-year. Due to the expansion of China's middle-income group, China's demand for U.S. lobsters continues to grow, especially during the Spring Festival.

Fishermen sort and pack caught lobsters into boxes at a pier in the seaport town of Stonington, Maine, U.S., on Feb. 4, 2020. (Photo by Xinhua news agency reporter Wang Ying)

Bill Bruns, a lobster exporter in Maine, was quoted as saying that exporting lobster is facing greater challenges due to the impact of the new crown epidemic on logistics supply, but lobster exporters in the state are still making adequate preparations for the Chinese market.

Bruns said that under the interference of the epidemic, the export of lobster to the Chinese market in the spring festival in the past two years has always had a "lucky" component, "but I am ready and ready, otherwise (business) spring will come later."

John Sackton, an analyst in the U.S. seafood industry, said that this year's Chinese New Year overlaps with the Beijing Winter Olympics, which may further promote seafood consumption and is good for the U.S. lobster industry.

"Lobster consumption during this year's Spring Festival will definitely exceed last year's," Sackton expects.

Christan Porter, president of the Maine Lobster Catchers Association, said the weather at sea this year was bad, but a good export prospect should allow fishermen to have a decent winter.