How much will we pay in 2023?
For 20 years, the price of lobster from America has remained more or less the same, says researcher from the Institute for Research in Contemporary Economy (IRÉC) Gabriel Bourgault-Faucher. In May 2023, we were talking about $16.31 per kilogram landed, which is slightly lower than the average of $16.39 since the year 2000.
The landed price is the price that fishermen receive when they return with their catches, specifies the researcher. You should therefore expect to pay a little more in grocery stores and fishmongers, even if their prices follow those at the landing.
“When we see dips in the landed price, we can expect the consumer price to also decline. When we observe increases, we can expect consumer prices to also increase,” specifies Mr. Bourgault-Faucher.
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How much should we expect to pay this year?
At the moment, the average landed price of lobster from the Gaspésie is around $17.60 per kilogram, says the scientific director of the Regroupement of professional fishermen of the south of Gaspésie (RPPSG), Jean Côté. This is more than the $16.85 requested in 2023.
Don’t panic: the price is always a little more expensive at the start of the season, when Gaspésie lobster is the only one available. Like every season, the price should drop when lobster from Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick becomes available.
“In general, around Mother’s Day or after, we will see prices drop, because lobster is available everywhere and in large quantities,” specifies the biologist.
Photo credit: QMI Agency, TOMA ICZKOVITS
In three fish stores in the Montreal region contacted by 24 hours, prices were similar to last year. One of these businesses indicated that they sell their lobster for around $37 per kilogram.
In comparison, at Metro, lobster is priced at $35.25 per kilogram at regular price. At IGA, it’s more like $50.68 per kilogram. However, promotions are currently offered in these two banners.
The bigger the better?
Large lobsters, which can weigh two to four pounds, generally sell for more per kilogram, underlines Mr. Côté. But know this: you will pay more just to impress the visit, since the taste is the same!
How is the price determined?
The United States has a lot of influence on the price you pay in Canada for shellfish. This is because 91% of all our exports are sent there.
“It is really in this market that there will be a reference price which will be reflected throughout the chain all the way to the consumer,” explains Gabriel Bourgault-Faucher.
The greater the demand from the United States, but also from China, the more prices are likely to rise.
Climate change could also cause prices to jump. Already, in certain regions of Canada and the United States, fishermen are feeling the effects of climate on their catches.
“The supply in recent years in Maine and even in Nova Scotia has been decreasing. The climatic and ecosystem conditions in these regions are less and less favorable to lobster,” illustrates Mr. Bourgault-Faucher.
Here are the lobster discounts offered in grocery stores this week:
▶ Live lobster is $17.09 per kilogram at Metro until May 22.
▶ Until May 15, live lobster is $17.09 per kilogram at Provigo.
Photo credit: Courtesy
▶ At IGA, cooked or live lobster is $19.33 per kilogram until May 15. But be careful: you must be a Scène+ card holder. If you don’t have it, you will have to pay $23.74 per kilogram.
▶ From Thursday May 16, and until May 22, always at IGAcooked or live lobster will be $17.09 per kilogram for Scène+ card holders and $21.49 per kilogram for others.
How many lobsters per person?
We calculate approximately two lobsters which weigh around 454 g (1 lb) per person.
