Fishers crabby over Japan’s Russian imports, but Tokyo says Canada exports negligible
OTTAWA — Atlantic fishers are feeling the pinch as Japan brings in cheap Russian product rather than Canadian snow crabs, with federal ministers and provincial premiers saying they are raising the issue with Japanese officials.
But Tokyo is pushing back on claims that its trade decisions are undermining G7 sanctions — or that they are having much of an effect on the Canadian industry.
Snow crab prices have dropped in Newfoundland and Labrador from $7.60 per pound at the start of last year’s season to an opening price of $2.20 this year.
Fishers in the province have refused to start harvesting this year as they scramble to sell off last year’s surplus, although the price could still rise.