![\"LMR_sd-SH\"](\"https:\/\/fish-news.com\/cfn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/LMR_sd-SH1.jpg\")
Despite these frustrations, the exporter stated, \u201cThe Chinese now drive the January market and higher prices.\u00a0 In the very recent past, January was a black hole that we just tried to avoid.\u201d<\/p>\nJanuary and February used to be the slowest months in the year for the lobster marketplace, back before US and Canadian exporters began selling to China.\u00a0 But no more.\u00a0 This year they sold every large lobster they could buy to the Chinese for that nation\u2019s week-long New Year and Spring Festival celebrations in late Jaunary.\u00a0 They then started selling and shipping lobster here and abroad for Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Both Canadian and Boston shippers spoke of problems getting air space for freight.\u00a0 A Canadian exporter explained that Canadian logistics are far different from those of the US.\u00a0 The winter schedule for all Canadian airlines, he said, is reduced compared to the summer schedule.\u00a0 Far less capacity, weather delays, and cancellations leave dealers and exporters less able to get goods to market.<\/p>\n
Despite these frustrations, the exporter stated, \u201cThe Chinese now drive the January market and higher prices.\u00a0 In the very recent past, January was a black hole that we just tried to avoid.\u201d<\/p>\n
The weather was such that those still fishing offshore were able to get out only once in a week to 10 days.\u00a0 For Downeast Maine and Nova Scotia fishermen it was more like once every two weeks.<\/p>\n
The Canadian exporter called fresh caught quality terrible and said, \u201cTen to 15 percent are soft and 15 to 25 percent are culls.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the growing strength of the US dollar and the difference in the exchange rate, a Maine dealer said Canadian dealers could buy lobsters at C$7\/lb (US$6.35), ship them to Maine for C$6.50\/lb (US$5.90), and still make a nickel or dime (per lb) profit after paying the freight.<\/p>\n
But US dealers were having to pay $6.75\/lb for what one called, \u201cA product that\u2019s not any good.\u00a0 Then we have to pick it up and (pay) transportation charges,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Although he could get back $4.40\/lb for any culls and softs, which made up 30% of the product, he complained,\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m losing $2\/lb on everything I buy,\u201d quickly adding that he hadn\u2019t been doing much buying.<\/p>\n
Tubed product was much the same with a dealer saying, \u201cYou invested, you spent all this money and waited to get your investment back, and you made nothing.\u00a0 If you were lucky, you broke even.\u201d\u00a0 He added, \u201cEvery day that I call Canada, I can get them for a dime less, and they\u2019re fresh caught, not pounded.\u00a0 The tubed I can buy 20 cents per lb cheaper because they have to move them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Prices<\/b><\/p>\n
Commercial Fisheries News<\/i> appreciates the cooperation from within the lobster industry that makes this price report possible.\u00a0 The following prices were paid to fishermen as of Feb. 11-14.\u00a0 Prices listed do not include bonus or dividend, except inadvertently when quoting co-op and private dealer prices…<\/p>\n
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Read online\u00a0immediately and download for future reference.<\/p>\n [add_to_cart=4426]<\/p>\n January and February used to be the slowest months in the year for the lobster marketplace, back before US and Canadian exporters began selling to China.\u00a0 But no more.\u00a0 This year they sold every large lobster they could buy to the Chinese for that nation\u2019s week-long New Year and Spring Festival celebrations in late Jaunary.\u00a0 … <\/p>\n![\"CFN_3_14cover\"](\"https:\/\/fish-news.com\/cfn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/CFN_3_14cover-242x300.jpg\")
Read the rest and much, much more in the\u00a0March issue of Commercial Fisheries News.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"