Nova Scotia live lobster exports to Asia grow 428% over 5 years

There's a lot of live lobster making its way through Halifax Stanfield International Airport this holiday season.

It's an annual tradition for seafood exports to ramp up this time of year.

All the major cargo carriers, including Air Canada, are getting in on the action.

Korean Air Cargo will handle the largest shipments of lobster. Their first shipment was last Sunday, another one took off today and there are flights scheduled for the following two Sundays.

"We are pleased to welcome back Korean Air Cargo for the holiday season," said Jerry Staples, vice-president of Air Service Marketing and Business Development at Halifax Stanfield.

"In just the last five years, Canadian live lobster exports to Asia have grown 428 per cent. And the interest in our delicacy continues to grow."

Each Air Korean flight will carry between 40 and 50 tonnes of lobster. The largest shipment, scheduled for Dec. 28 will carry 100 tonnes.