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Frozen Whole Raw Lobster
For optimum succulence, texture, flavour and quality, frozen whole sashimi grade lobsters have been placed in an ice slurry in preparation for grading for colour, entirety of appendages and size before being gently packaged individually for shipment to discerning markets. Sashimi condition lobsters are renowned for their freshness and quality, with sophisticated freezing techniques ensuring their culinary attributes are retained to the point of consumption. Product specifications vary with most using 10kg cartons.
Frozen Lobster Tails
Succulent snap frozen lobster tails are available from major West Australian exporters. The lobsters are selected by hand, and with special attention to quality and consistency are prepared and cleaned to the highest standard. The lobster tails are then graded for size, wrapped individually to preserve freshness and texture before being snap frozen to -35-40C just prior to export. Packaging sizes vary between 4.54kg (10lb) and 11.34kg (25lb) cartons.
Fresh Cooked–Chilled or Frozen Lobster
From premium quality hand picked raw products, lobsters are graded for colour, size, and appendage entirety, before being cooked to perfection using controlled temperature to ensure consistent quality and minimize melanosis (browning of the flesh). Cooked lobsters are chilled or snap frozen to maintain their freshness and are generally individually wrapped to ensure freshness and quality, before packing for shipping. Product packing varies from 5kg-10kg cartons, with companies offering alternative pack weights and preparations to suit wholesale requirements.
Live Lobster
Freshly caught live Western Rock lobsters are landed daily and held in special live holding facilities. These state of the art tanks ensure that lobsters are maintained in optimal conditions to ensure consistent high quality. These holding tanks help to purge the lobsters before they are carefully selected for the export market and graded to ensure they are robust and vigorous. Prior to export they are chilled and packed to exact specifications and criteria to ensure minimal mortality. Live lobsters are packed in chemical free wood shavings as an insulator with a ‘gel-pack’ to assist in maintaining temperature when shipped internationally.
Live lobster products are generally graded as follows:
Grade |
Weight (grams) |
Counts per carton (8kg) |
Counts per carton (9kg) |
A |
490 and under |
17 and over |
20 and over |
B |
491 - 610 |
14 - 16 |
16 - 19 |
C |
611 - 740 |
12 - 13 |
13 - 15 |
D |
741 - 850 |
10 - 11 |
11 - 12 |
E |
851 - 970 |
8 - 9 |
10 - 11 |
F |
971 - 1220 |
7 - 8 |
8 - 9 |
G |
1221 - 1800 |
5 - 7 |
6 - 8 |
H |
1801+ |
4 and under |
5 and under |
The live lobsters are primarily exported to Asia, while frozen lobster tails are primarily exported to the United States. Together these two product types make up approximately 60% of the average Western Rock Lobster production.
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