The North American lobster industry is projected to have similar volumes and landing patterns as it has had in years past in 2025, but U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated mentions of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian products could cause disruptions.
The North American lobster supply has been relatively stable for a decade, averaging between 300 million and 350 million pounds each year. According to a panel of experts at the Global Seafood Market Conference, taking place 19 to 23 January in Palm Desert, California, U.S.A., totals in 2025 will largely remain the same, with the potential for a slight decline in catch totals in the U.S. state of Maine.
According to the panel, the biggest “what-if” factor is whether the Trump administration will follow through with repeated promises to apply a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods. That proposal would hit USD 5.6 billion (EUR 5.3 billion) worth of seafood products, and the lobster industry would be hit in both the U.S. and Canada.
“When we talk about some of the pending potential challenges that we might see with regards to tariffs, it’s really going to ...