New Zealand’s lobster industry centers on the spiny rock lobster, known locally as "crayfish" (Jasus edwardsii), a species prized for its sweet, firm flesh and high export value. This lobster is found along New Zealand’s rocky coastlines and is sustainably managed under a strict quota system. While New Zealand itself is the primary harvester, exporting the majority of its catch, the main international markets for New Zealand lobster are China, the United States, and Australia, with China being the largest importer due to high demand for live lobsters in luxury cuisine. Other countries, such as Australia, also harvest related species of spiny lobsters (notably Jasus novaehollandiae), but New Zealand’s exports are particularly renowned for their quality and sustainable management, making it a leader among lobster fishing nations in the Southern Hemisphere.
Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | New Zealand | 1,182 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.