Canada, responding to the demand by the Chinese market for “Boston lobster,” has begun direct flights with 747s loaded with lobster.
Seafood Source, a trade publication, reported the first flight with live lobster departed Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Jan. 9, landing in Zhengzhou, China. The lobster will be transported, in turn, to other provinces and cities, a Chinese trade publication reported.
While it could be viewed as a threat to Maine’s strong hold on the Asian market, the Portland Press Herald reported that it may too early to determine whether the direct flights will hurt the Maine and/or U.S. markets. Through November, Maine shipped $27.5 million worth of live lobster to China, up from $10.2 million through November 2015, the Press Herald reported.
The flights were chartered by one of China’s largest commercial fishing companies, Forever Fishing.