Demand for Canadian lobsters in Beijing has increased substantially over the past two years, thanks partially to the global financial crisis.

A Canadian embassy officer told Beijing Evening News that since the crisis, US demand for Canadian lobsters has dropped.

As a result, the officer said, Canadian seafood exporters turned their attention to China.

A report from People's Daily said Canada exported more than $100 million worth of seafood to China last year, with sales of Canadian lobsters growing by 70 percent over the previous year.

Huang Shuirong, sales manager of Sunkfa Trading Co at the Jinshen wholesale seafood market, told METRO his company started selling Canadian lobsters in 2008.

That year, there were only about three lobster dealers at Jinshen, and Sunkfa sold about 25 kg of lobsters a day.

"Today, there are 12 at Jinshen and despite the increased competition, we sell about 50 kg a day," Huang said.

This year, seven new lobster dealers started at the market.

On festive or special occasions, Huang said, lobster sales will increase.

During Spring Festival, for example, Sunkfa sold a record 500 kg of lobsters a day.

"Prices of the lobster have also dropped a bit, by about 5 yuan a kg, with the increased competition," Huang said.

Canadian lobsters fetch 150 to 170 yuan a kg for those under 2 kg; larger ones can cost as much as 240 yuan a kg, which is still much lower than those from Australia, at more than 600 yuan per kg.

A salesman surnamed Lu at Sunjing Seafood at Jingshen said Canadians lobsters always sell well and his company moves between 100 to 150 kg per day.

Thomas Laberer, executive chef of the Kempinski Hotel Beijing, said the Canadian lobsters are popular with restaurants because the crustacean is available all year round, with a consistent high quality.

"We can do lots with it to make all kinds of different dishes. In addition, it is also widely recognized," he said.

The hotel's Italian restaurant, Trattoria La Gondola, has been running a promotion of Canadian lobsters since May 1.

Its public relations manager, Serina Wang, said the exercise has been a success.

"It's so popular that we may extend it beyond June 30 if sales still remain high," she said.

The hotel is offering more than 15 lobster dishes. Among the most popular are creamy lobster polenta with spicy Italian sausages and roasted cherry tomatoes, lobster risotto with green asparagus, porcini and truffles, and whole lobster with lemon peel gnocchi, mascarpone, basil tomato sauce and rocket leaf.