Victorian rock lobster industry on its knees in ongoing China trade dispute
Posted
FriFriday 19
FebFebruary 2021 at 9:21pm
Lobster fishers like Simon Nash in Port Campbell say the trade dispute with China has been devastating.
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When rock lobster fisherman Simon Nash winches his boat into the water before dawn he knows he might not make any money from his long day of work.
Key points:
Locals are selling lobster for one third of the price they were getting in China
They point out other states have waived, deferred or refunded licence fees for their producers
It s not because of the vagaries of fishing the lobsters around his home at Port Campbell, near Victoria s famous Twelve Apostles, are just as likely or not to wander into one of his 84 pots as ever.
Seafood cheaper but staples will cost more this Christmas
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Seafood cheaper but staples will cost more this Christmas
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Australians will pay less for seafood delicacies but more for everyday staples as the coronavirus pandemic and Chinaâs trade restrictions turn prices on their head in the countdown to Christmas.
Overseas labour shortages are set to drive up the price of summer vegetables, stone fruit, apples, pears and grapes, while Chinaâs blocking of a growing list of exports have made locally caught lobster far more affordable than last year.
How other nations are feasting on China s beef with Australia
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How other nations are feasting on China s beef with Australia
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At the China International Import expo in Shanghai last month, the Argentinian Beef Association was ready to pounce on Australia s misfortune.
Argentina has maintained strong diplomatic relations with China since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Beijing sent tonnes of medical equipment to Argentina as COVID-19 began sweeping through Latin America. Even though they all had to endure 14-day quarantine to attend, 58 representatives of the beef association were in the hall to show off its sirloin and rib eye.