The protracted ban on Australian rock lobsters by Beijing has prompted Southeast Asian countries to capitalise on the opportunity, increasing their seafood exports to China. As the ban continues, the shift in sourcing may become irreversible, experts predict.
New Zealand currently dominates the Chinese market for rock lobsters, holding nearly 40% of the total market share, based on data from the General Administration of Customs. Mexico and the United States follow, accounting for 20% and 16%, respectively.
However, three ASEAN members – Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam – have taken advantage of the burgeoning demand for crustaceans in China over the past decade. The ban on Australian lobster imports in response to Canberra’s call for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus has only widened the door for Southeast Asian…
