South Australian lobster exports have more than doubled over the past year to reach $94.7 million, an increase of $54.6 million or 136 per cent, according to the latest trade data.
China was South Australia’s largest lobster market during this period, importing more than $64 million worth of the seafood in just eight months, following the lifting of trade restrictions in late December last year.
Six months earlier, in July 2024, the South Australian government launched the $475,000 Seafood Export Growth Program in anticipation of the resumption of live lobster trade.
The program has supported 27 seafood businesses to access trade advisers, connect with buyers locally and internationally, and promote South Australian seafood through marketing campaigns in China and Japan.
By acting early, the state ensured its lobster exporters were ready to resume trade immediately, coinciding with peak demand for Lunar New Year.
Driven by record lobster sales, South Australia’s total seafood exports are now approaching $250 million, up by nearly $100 million or more than 60 per cent over the past year.
Japan remains the state’s largest seafood export market, rising by nearly 90 per cent or $55.6 million to $118.8 million. China has become the second largest, increasing more than fivefold to $76.1 million, up 425 per cent.
At the time of their removal, Chinese import restrictions on Australian live lobster had been in place for more than four years. Their lifting followed the removal of tariffs on other Australian exports, including wine in March 2024 and barley in August 2023.
“Our government acted early to ensure South Australian exporters were ready to move the moment trade resumed,” said minister for veterans’ affairs of South Australia Joe Szakacs.
“Like with wine earlier and US tariffs since, we anticipated the opportunity this would present and backed our sector through the Seafood Export Growth Program so they could capitalise on renewed access to the Chinese market.
“We have the world’s best seafood, and this record year for lobster exports shows what happens when government and industry work in partnership to seize opportunities.”