McDonald’s will not be able to serve its McLobster lobster roll at its restaurants across Eastern Canada, thanks to record-high prices this season.
"The increased price of lobster per pound means that we are currently unable to offer this menu item at a reasonable price for our guests,” Adam Grachnik, a spokesperson for McDonald's, told CBC News.
Canadian lobster is selling for record prices this spring, while U.S. lobster prices are expected to remain strong throughout the year.
In Nova Scotia, lobstermen are seeing record ex-vessel prices of CAD 8.00 (USD 5.92, EUR 5.26) per pound on average, compared to CAD 5.25 (USD 3.89, EUR 3.45) at the height of the season last fall.
Bernie Barry, president of the Coldwater Lobster Association in Milton Highlands, Nova Scotia, expects prices to remain strong, since the United States, China and other Asian countries continue to demand more lobster.
Maine lobster suppliers also foresee strong prices throughout the year.
“All indications we are getting is that demand is very, very high,” Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association in Portland, Maine, told SeafoodSource in May. “Domestically, there is an expansion of food trucks, foodservice, and all the lobster roll businesses. And some of the markets in Asia seem to be doing well; we are seeing good numbers on export.”
“I don't see downward pressure now. Demand is very strong and inventories are low right now,” said Tom Keegan, who handles sales for Cozy Harbor Seafood in Portland, Maine. “The prices will stay steady or go higher as the season goes.”
