The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reports that lobsters have been imported to Vietnam in large quantities ahead of Tet holiday. 

Australian lobsters are retailing at VND1.2-1.3 million per kilogram (0.9-1.2 kilogram each lobster). Fresh Alaska lobster is VND1.1-1.2 million (1-6 kilogram), and smaller lobsters VND800,000-950,000 per kilogram. Frozen Alaska lobsters are selling for VND500,000-600,000.

Tran Van Toan, the owner of a seafood shop in Hoang Mai district in Hanoi, said Vietnamese scalloped spiny lobster is priced at VND1.6 million per kilogram (0.4-0.5 kilogram each lobster), and tropical rock lobster VND1.8 million (1-1.2 kilogram). Lobsters weighing 2-3 kilograms are scarce and expensive, about VND3 million per kilogram.

Meanwhile, imports from Australia are VND1.3 million per kilogram, while Alaska lobster is VND900,000-1.2 million.

Duong Thi Dung, manager of a seafood shop in Cau Giay district, said sales of imports are four times higher than domestically farmed products.

“Consumers have cut spending by paying less for lobsters with the same quality as high-end products,” she explained.

Le Anh Tu, who runs a seafood retail shop in Hoang Mai district, said that Australian lobsters are cheaper than ever.

“In Australia, the high lobster fishing season lasts from November to June, which means   supply is now abundant. The prices are very reasonable,” he said. “And the prices are lower than the last year."

However, sales are still going slowly, though Tet will come in several days.

“On pre-Tet days last year, our shippers had to work very hard, but sales are 40-60 percent lower than last year,” Tu said.

Bui Huy Phuc, a lobster seller, confirmed that sales were slow, a contrast to last year. He has been selling around 10 lobsters each day.

Tam An