'Silver lining' of cheaper seafood for Australians this Christmas after China trade row

Rising trade tensions with China have brought a "silver lining" for Australian seafood lovers, with domestic prices slashed ahead of Christmas.

Commercial fishers in Australia are now supplying record volumes of rock lobster to the domestic market after China's ban on Australian live lobster imports.

The world-famous delicacy, also known as crayfish, is selling at some regional wharfs for $30-$50 per kilogram.

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Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative (GFC) in Western Australia, the country's biggest rock lobster processor, has reported a surge in demand from retailers such as Woolworths, some IGA stores and seafood outlets including Sydney Fish Markets.

"Despite the challenges in the international market this year, the silver lining is that more Aussies will be able to enjoy this iconic delicacy with loved ones this summer," GFC chief executive Mark Rutter said.

At Sydney Fish Markets Sydney, you can buy fresh lobster at $80 to $100 per kilogram, down from the usual $120 per kilogram.

Medium prawns are expected to be sold for $26 to $29 per kilogram, $16 to $20 per dozen.  

Woolworths said it is selling West Australian rock lobsters at $20 each, half the price they were last December.

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The supermarket giant estimates customers will consume more than 35 tonnes of lobster this year, compared to just 6.5 tonnes in 2019.

Coles is also offering West Australian rock lobsters for the record low price of $20 each.

It said it had purchased 29 times the amount of the shellfish it bought off suppliers last year.

Both Woolworths and Coles said they wanted to help the struggling seafood industry while offering bargain prices to customers.

China is Australia's largest trading partner, making up 30 per cent of exports.

Last month, tonnes of Australian shellfish were reportedly left on the tarmac at a Chinese airport.

China accounts for 95 per cent of Australia's $750 million lobster export market, leaving the industry - centred around South Australia and Western Australia - exposed to the trade tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

The industry is now hoping to offset losses by selling more produce in Australia.

Australia's relationship with China has been under immense strain in recent months, sparked by Canberra calling for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.