While lobster launches their season this week, the Union of Maritime Fishermen (UPM) is concerned about the “derisory prices” which could be paid to fishermen due to the drop in exports to the Chinese market.
According to the UPM, buyers attribute this slowdown in lobster exports living to China on the recent prices imposed by this country, which would have the effect of redirecting more lobster to other markets or towards transformation, resulting in a surplus of inventory. “However, according to several of our sources, the inventories of lobster living and transformed are currently extremely weak,” said general manager Martin Mallet in a press release issued on Wednesday afternoon.
The rumors circulating among buyers speak of a price between 6 and $ 6.50 per book for the start of the season.
“This kind of price was offered to our fishermen 10-15 years old. Not only is it not reasonable and jeopardizes our fishing companies, it is an insult for our members, “continued Mr. Mallet.
“Operating costs for a fishing company today are no longer what they were before the pandemic. A minimum reasonable price for lobster must take into account the increase in operating costs which increased by 25% to 50% depending on fishing companies. For example, bait like gelled mackerel this spring sells $ 1.95 the book compared to around $ 1 the book a few years past. ”
“According to our reading of the situation, the current market conditions do not explain the derisory offer of buyers at the start of the season which should allow a price of $ 8 per pound and more and this especially before Mother’s Day which traditionally is a popular period for the purchase of lobster. We invite these buyers to return immediately to the drawing table and return to our fishermen with a reasonable offer, ”said Martin Mallet.
Last season, the price offered turned around $ 7 per book.
Fishing zone 23, which leaves from Dalhousie and reaches Pointe-Sapin via the heat region and the Acadian peninsula, account, year after 600 fishermen.
