Post-harvest Processing, Value Addition and Marketing of Lobsters

Seafood is the most commonly traded commodity in the world and the export value of world trade in fish was $136 billion in 2013. Lobster remains a highly prized delicacy the world over. World lobster catch has been steadily increasing over the years and 3,08,926 tonnes were harvested from capture fisheries in 2015. The four main commercial lobster species contributing to 80% of the total world catch are the American lobster (Homarus americanus), the European lobster, H. gammarus, the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus and the Spiny lobster Panulirus argus. World trade in lobster has grown steadily with both exports and imports showing an increasing trend. During the past 13 years, world trade in lobster grew substantially, from 1,10, 000 tonnes in 2001 to over 1,70, 000 tonnes in 2014. Total lobster trade in 2014 was valued at US$3.3 billion, almost double that of 13 years earlier. The USA was the largest importer of lobster products worth US$1.29 billion in 2014, (36.2%), followed by China with US$576.7 million (17.4%) and Canada with 334.5 million (10.2%). Lobsters are marketed live, processed and frozen form, and the demand for these products is guided by the consumer preference and price. Chinese and Japanese consumers prefer live lobsters, as seafood in live condition ensures freshness and good quality of the meat. The processed lobster market has also developed considerably in recent years, with companies seeking to make lobster products more easily accessible and attractive to the consumer.