A veteran of the crayfishing industry says they’ve been left reeling, as the coronavirus begins to impact Australia’s exports.

Co-owner of Cervantes crayfishing processing factory The Lobster Shack Michael Thompson told Gareth Parker they’re currently not sending lobsters to their Chinese buyers as they are struggling to move the product with Lunar New Year celebrations cancelled.

They join the WA Fishermen’s Co-operative, which controls more than 60 per cent of the Australian market, who halted deliveries after the sharp drop in demand from China caused prices to crash.

Mr Thompson says it’s uncertain times for the industry.

“We’ll know more tomorrow and we’ll be hoping things loosen up a bit in China so we can allow the boats to go back to work.”

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