United Kingdom (UK) Lobster Prices

Prices of other produce in the Seafood category in United Kingdom (UK): Sea Bass, Sea Bream, Shrimps & Prawns, Crabs, Crustaceans, Oysters, Scallops, Blue Mussel, Cuttlefish & Squid & Octopus.

See prices of lobster in other countries across Europe: Georgia lobster, Albania lobster, Belarus lobster, Bosnia and Herzegovina lobster, Bulgaria lobster, Croatia lobster, Czech Republic lobster, Estonia lobster, Greece lobster & Hungary lobster.

Quick facts about UK common lobster

The most popular lobster in the UK is the common lobster Homarus gammarus. Its abundant in the shallow coastlines throughout English waters and has a thick dark blue exoskeleton that espouses yellow spots.

The UK season for these native lobster runs from June to September each year. After the end of the native lobster season, UK seafood outlets source mostly Canadian lobster.

According to Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the common lobster has undergone over-exploitation due to commercial activities.

For the above reason of commercial exploitation, UK fishermen and seafood traders do their best to conserve the crustaceans. For every kilo of lobster that responsible fishmongers sell, they donate a small percentage to the National Lobster Hatchery. This helps recover the stocks.

Other popular commercial lobster in the UK

Apart from Homarus gammarus, there are a few other commercial lobsters in the UK that include:

1. Cornish Lobster

Current price: £18 ($22.01) per kg

From the coast of Cornwall comes this native lobster (mostly Homarus gammarus species) that falls under the trade moniker of ‘Cornish lobster.’ It is relatively long, reaching 50 cm at maturity and can live for a maximum of 15 years.

2. Olive Squat Lobster

Current price: £30 ($36.67) and above per kg of lobster tail

The species Galathea squamifera or olive squat lobster is small as it measures just 5 centimetres. It is available at the end of the UK season up to October. It likes stony crevices located 180 meters deep. For commercial usages, it requires many of these tiny critters to fill a kilogram and so their sales are usually in batches.

3. Spiny Lobster

Current price: £45 ($55.02) to 92 ($112.49) per kg

Because it lacks front claws, this lobster is endowed with defensive spines across its extensive carapaces. It is relatively long at 27 cm, red-to-brown in color and sports yellow marks on its exoskeleton.

4. Scampi Lobster

Current price: £18.18 ($22.23) per kg

The distinguishing feature of scampi (Nephrops norvegicus) is the narrow streamlined body with a bright orange exoskeleton. Measuring 21 cm long, this lobster has large, clawed, front legs. Only three leg pairs sport claws while the rest have none. In terms of sales, most supermarkets sell them either fresh, frozen or breaded.

There is one major difference between native cooked lobster from raw lobster. This is the fact that the seafood loses its bluish tinge and acquires a red color when cooked.