Florida Keys lobster industry, reliant on Chinese consumers, braces for potential tariff impact

In Conch Key, Kelly Cordova’s crews are getting traps ready for lobster season.

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She’s been on the water her whole life.

“This is our family’s business,” said Cordova. “My mom and dad started when they were 15.”

But even as the Trump administration softens its tone on China tariffs, there’s still uncertainty over the possibility of reciprocal tariffs tacked on to the live lobster they export.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do, it’s really, really scary right now,” said Cordova.

Spiny lobster is a multi-million dollar industry in Florida and the Florida Keys are the biggest producer, harvesting nearly 4 million pounds last season.

According to the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association, 70% to 80% of that lobster goes to China.

“The Chinese have been such a great thing for us and now with the tariffs we don’t know if they’re going to buy,” said Cordova.

Longtime lobsterman Jeff Cramer recalls Trump’s first term.

“The first tariffs came in when President Trump came in and that affected us a lot,” he said. “We recovered and took one for the team. We’re just hoping that everything gets sorted out.”