Wholesale Lobster Prices - Buy Lobster in Bulk
Discover wholesale lobster prices and buy lobster in bulk for your business or personal use. Get the best deals on fresh, high-quality lobster from trusted suppliers. Order in bulk today!
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Whether you're running a high-end restaurant, seafood market, or catering service, sourcing lobster in bulk can significantly impact your bottom line. With demand for premium seafood on the rise, buying lobster wholesale is an efficient way to maintain quality while managing costs. But how much does wholesale lobster cost, and what factors affect the price? Let’s dive into the deep waters of lobster pricing.
What Are the Current Wholesale Lobster Prices?
Wholesale lobster prices vary significantly based on species, size, region, and whether the lobster is live, frozen, or processed. As of 2025, here are some general price ranges:
- Live North American Lobster (Homarus americanus): £10–£20 per pound
- Frozen Lobster Tails (5–6 oz.): £22–£35 per pound
- Whole Cooked Lobsters (frozen): £12–£25 per pound
- Processed Lobster Meat: £30–£50 per pound
Pricing may fluctuate daily depending on supply, weather, and global demand. Bulk orders typically come with discounted rates, especially for regular B2B buyers.
Factors Affecting Wholesale Lobster Prices
1. Lobster Species
Different lobster species vary in price. American lobsters with claws are typically more expensive due to higher meat yield and consumer demand, while spiny or rock lobsters are more affordable but clawless, with firmer tail meat.
2. Seasonal Availability
Lobsters are seasonal, and prices drop during peak harvest months like summer. Off-season catches, especially in colder months, are harder to source and cost more due to limited availability and challenging fishing conditions.
3. Catch Location
Where the lobster is caught affects price. Canadian lobsters are often cheaper due to volume and scale, while Maine and European lobsters are more expensive due to branding, smaller supply, and local demand.
4. Live vs. Frozen
Live lobsters are more expensive because they need special handling, tanks, and fast delivery. Frozen options are cheaper, easier to store, and offer a longer shelf life, making them popular with foodservice buyers.
5. Logistics and Shipping
Cold chain transport, fuel costs, and import fees all impact wholesale prices. Shipping live lobsters internationally is especially costly, while frozen lobster is more economical to move over long distances.
Top International Wholesale Lobster Suppliers
East Coast Seafood, LLC (Seatrade International) – USA
Operating under the My Seafood brand, East Coast Seafood is a powerhouse in the North American seafood industry. With access to North Atlantic waters, they supply a full range of premium lobster products including live lobster, frozen whole lobster, cooked lobster claws, and fresh cooked meat. They also stand out with value-added products like lobster mac & cheese bites, appealing to both gourmet and casual markets. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation, East Coast Seafood is a one-stop-shop for global lobster buyers.
Jonas Seafoods Limited – United Kingdom
Located in the UK, Jonas Seafoods specializes in Norfolk lobster and Cromer crab, with an emphasis on sustainability and freshness. Their lobster offerings include dressed half and whole Norfolk lobsters—ideal for restaurants, hotels, and gourmet seafood counters looking to serve locally sourced delicacies. Known for their exceptional handling and consistency, Jonas is a go-to supplier for clients who appreciate premium British shellfish.
The Lobster Pot – United Kingdom
With over 70 years of heritage, The Lobster Pot is a trusted name in live shellfish across the UK and Europe. They offer live European lobsters, including the prized blue lobster, known for its rich, sweet meat. Operating with sustainability at the heart of their practices, they also supply common crab, spider crab, and velvet swimming crab. If you're looking for live, responsibly caught shellfish with impeccable freshness, The Lobster Pot delivers.
Riverside Lobster International Inc. – Canada
From the cold, clean waters of Nova Scotia, Riverside Lobster provides an array of lobster products to international clients. Their extensive range includes live lobster, frozen cooked lobster meat, raw lobster tails, and HPP whole lobster. Using advanced processing technology, they maintain the integrity and flavor of each lobster product. For distributors, wholesalers, and foodservice buyers looking for consistent quality and volume, Riverside is a top-tier Canadian choice.
TBES Food – Vietnam
Vietnam-based TBES Food is gaining recognition for offering slipper lobster, a crustacean known for its tender texture and unique flavor. As a major exporter of frozen seafood, TBES Food ensures strict quality control and international standards. Their lobster offerings are part of a larger frozen seafood range, making them an ideal supplier for buyers looking to diversify their Asian seafood lineup.
Cheflink Seafood – Ireland
Cheflink Seafood is a full-service supplier delivering premium lobster and other fresh and frozen seafood across Ireland and the UK. With a global sourcing network and a focus on sustainability, they offer both live and frozen lobster tailored to wholesale and retail markets. Whether you're a chef sourcing coldwater lobster or a distributor looking for consistency, Cheflink is known for both reliability and quality.
Seacon Production B.V. – Netherlands
Based in the Netherlands, Seacon Production specializes in frozen seafood with a European twist. Their Norwegian lobster—also known as langoustine—is a delicacy prized in fine dining. Known for their elegant presentation and sweet meat, these lobsters are supplied frozen to maintain peak freshness. Seacon’s massive distribution capacity and sustainability credentials make them a strong contender for wholesale langoustine buyers across Europe.
All-Fish Handelsgesellschaft mbH – Germany
All-Fish, located in Germany, serves the European seafood industry with a broad portfolio of frozen fish and shellfish, including lobster. Their focus is on delivering bulk frozen products to processors, retailers, and foodservice operators. With a well-established logistics network and long-standing supplier relationships, they’re an efficient option for European buyers needing frozen lobster products in larger quantities.
Aquamarine Seafood – Belgium
Aquamarine Seafood offers premium coldwater lobster as part of its diverse frozen seafood catalog. With clients in wholesale, foodservice, and retail, they focus on quality, sustainability, and a boutique customer experience. Their commitment to ethical sourcing and high-end seafood makes them ideal for buyers targeting premium consumers or upscale hospitality.
Direct Seafoods – United Kingdom
Direct Seafoods is one of the UK's most respected seafood distributors, offering a mix of local and imported lobsters. Their product range serves restaurants, hotels, and caterers looking for fresh, frozen, or chilled seafood. Known for traceability and responsibly sourced ingredients, Direct Seafoods makes it easy for chefs and buyers to find dependable lobster supply, whether they’re after live shellfish or premium frozen cuts.
Wholesale Lobster Prices vs Retail Lobster Prices
The price difference between wholesale and retail lobster is substantial. Retail prices often reflect additional costs like branding, packaging, labor, and store margins.
- Retail (Live Lobster): £20–£35/lb
- Wholesale (Live Lobster): £10–£20/lb
Restaurants and seafood vendors that buy lobster in bulk save significantly over time. The more you buy, the lower your per-unit cost.
Lobster Consumer Trends
1. Luxury Dining Comeback
Since the pandemic restrictions eased, the fine dining sector has seen a remarkable revival—and lobster is once again a star on high-end menus. From Michelin-starred restaurants to upscale hotel banquets, lobster has reclaimed its place as a premium indulgence. This resurgence in luxury dining has increased B2B demand for fresh and live lobster, particularly among restaurant groups and gourmet caterers looking to offer a standout seafood experience.
2. Online Seafood Marketplaces
The rise of e-commerce has transformed how consumers buy seafood. Lobster, once reserved for restaurant tables, is now just a click away. Online seafood marketplaces have made it easy for customers to order live, fresh, or frozen lobster directly to their homes—especially during festive seasons like Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day. This shift is encouraging wholesalers to offer bulk and family-pack lobster options tailored for residential delivery.
3. Sustainable Sourcing Awareness
Modern consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever. Many are specifically looking for lobster sourced from MSC-certified or sustainably managed fisheries. This growing demand for traceability and ethical harvesting has a direct impact on wholesale pricing. Suppliers that meet these eco-conscious standards are often able to command a premium, especially in European markets and with foodservice buyers who emphasize sustainability in their sourcing policies.
4. Frozen Lobster Gaining Popularity
Frozen lobster is rapidly gaining market share, not just in retail but also in wholesale. Its appeal lies in convenience, longer shelf life, and cost-effectiveness. Compared to live lobster, frozen options reduce logistical challenges and wastage, making them ideal for bulk buyers like catering companies, airline food services, and meal-kit manufacturers. IQF (individually quick frozen) tails and claws, in particular, are in high demand for ease of preparation and portion control.
5. Value-Added Lobster Products
The lobster category is evolving beyond whole shellfish. The popularity of value-added products—like lobster rolls, bisques, ravioli, and pre-cooked tail meat—is booming across both premium casual dining and retail-ready formats. Restaurants, food trucks, and frozen meal brands are tapping into this trend, creating a growing B2B market for processed lobster. These ready-to-use forms reduce labor costs and prep time, making them especially attractive for operations with limited kitchen resources.
FAQs
1. What is the market value of a lobster?
The market value of a live lobster ranges from £10 to £35 per pound, depending on the season, species, and region.
2. How much do fishermen sell lobster for in the UK?
UK fishermen typically sell lobster to processors or wholesalers for £8–£15 per pound, though this fluctuates based on weather and availability.
3. What month is lobster cheapest?
Lobster is usually cheapest from July to September, when it is in peak season and supply is highest.
4. How old is a 1 kg lobster?
A 1 kg lobster (about 2.2 pounds) is generally 7 to 10 years old, depending on growth rate and environment.
5. How much does lobster cost per pound?
Wholesale live lobster generally costs £10–£20 per pound, with processed products like tails or meat costing more due to additional labor and packaging.