Crab meat is considered a delicacy and is highly valued both for its flavor, which combines well with many other foods, and for its beneficial nutritional properties. It is a dietary, protein-rich and relatively low-fat product that contains important vitamins for the human body, as well as micro- and macronutrients. Today, with the growing worldwide popularity of healthy eating, more and more consumers are paying attention to this type of meat. As a result, crab is now widely represented in retail trade both in canned and frozen, whole and cut. There is also a notable demand for crab products from the hospitality sector, where live crabs are particularly valued.
Asian countries are among the world's largest producers, importers and consumers of crab, primarily due to the prevalence of seafood in the diet of local people. Crab meat is a significant component of the national cuisines of many Asian countries, and a significant share of the products consumed in the region are relatively inexpensive crab species, including those grown through aquaculture. With rising prosperity in Asia demand for premium products, such as Russian-caught Kamchatka crab, is also gradually increasing, making the region the most promising area for further growth. The region is considered to be the most promising area for further increasing exports.
Canada and the U.S. are important players in the global crab market due to their large production and export volumes. Due to the large proportion of high-income populations in the region, there is also a strong demand for crab meat, including the more expensive types from abroad, and North America is also a major importer of crab.
In European food culture, crab meat is considered a niche product, consumed mainly on special occasions. Nevertheless, the high purchasing power of the local population ensures demand for this premium product. Spain and France account for the bulk of consumption in Europe, with Norway, a major supplier of crab (including Kamchatka crab caught in the Barents Sea) to the world market, showing the highest production volumes.
Global crab production in 2022 increased by 0.8% year-on-year to more than 2.8 million tons. In 2018-2022, this figure increased annually, except for 2020, when production decreased by 5.6% compared to 2019. Since 2021, there has been a recovery in crab production, so the figure is expected to reach 3 million tons in the coming years.
Most of the world's crab production comes from capture fisheries. In 2022, 1.60 million tons (56.3 percent of global production) of crabs were caught this way, while aquaculture accounted for about 1.24 million tons (43.7 percent). However, in recent years, there has been a gradual decline in catches while crab farming and aquaculture have increased. For example, in 2018, catch accounted for 1.66 million tons or 58.2% of global production, while 1.19 million tons of crabs or 41.8% of global production were obtained through aquaculture.
Currently, the Chinese mitten crab is the most economically important crab in the world, with production of this species amounting to 843.0 thousand tons or 29.7% of the global volume. Gazami crab (481.5 thousand tons or 16.9% of global production in 2022), blue swimmer crab (244.7 thousand tons or 8.6%), mangrove crab (154.7 thousand tons or 5.4%) and opilio crab (124.1 thousand tons or 4.4%) are also produced in notable quantities. The volume of Kamchatka crab, which is the main species caught in Russia, in 2022 amounted to 29.3 thousand tons or 1.0% of the global production in volume terms.
The habitat of crabs is quite extensive, and they can be found in almost all areas of the world's oceans, as well as in freshwater reservoirs. However, most of the catch of this type of seafood today is carried out in the northern waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, where there are the most favorable natural conditions for crabs. The bulk of the crab catch in 2022 was in marine waters - almost 2 million tons (70.1% of the global total), while inland waters yielded about 850.7 thousand tons (29.9%). The vast majority of crabs caught in inland waters belong to the Chinese mitten crab species. The species inhabits rivers in eastern Asia and is considered invasive in Europe and North America. Some blue crab species are caught in inland waters of North America, although the primary range of blue crab is in the East Central Pacific and West Central Atlantic.
The key crab fishing areas are in the Pacific Ocean, which accounted for about 76.9% of the total catch of this seafood species in 2022, or more than 1.5 million tons. About 70% of the Pacific Ocean crab fishery takes place in its northwestern part, where gazami crab and mangrove crab are primarily caught. This area is also the natural habitat of the Kamchatka crab. About 20% of crab production in the Pacific Ocean occurs in its central-western part, which is home to the blue swimmer crab and the Indo-Pacific mangrove crab.
In the Atlantic Ocean, about 300,000 tons of crabs are caught annually, i.e. 15.5% of the global fishery in marine waters. The Northwest Atlantic accounted for 42.3% of the catch in 2022, and this fishing zone is mainly used to catch opilio and blue crabs. In the Northeast Atlantic, which accounted for 29.9% of the Atlantic Ocean fishery at year-end, edible crab, opilio crab and Kamchatka crab are predominantly caught. Kamchatka crab was introduced to the Barents Sea in the mid-20th century and is therefore an invasive species in the Atlantic. Nevertheless, today about half of the catch of this crab species is caught in the North-East Atlantic, where Russia and Norway are fishing.
In the Indian Ocean, 150.3 thousand tons of crabs were caught in 2022, which accounted for 7.5% of the world fishery in marine waters. The main species caught in this area are the red mangrove crab and blue swimmer crab.
China is the world's leading crab producer. In 2022, the country produced almost 1.8 million tons of crabs, which accounted for 62.7% of the global total. The main part of production of this type of seafood in the country falls on the fish farming sector. In particular, it is aquaculture that grows the world's most common Chinese mitten crab. Aquaculture in China is also used to grow mangrove crab and some species of swimmer crab. In offshore waters, Chinese companies mainly catch gazami crab and blue swimmer crab. However, most of the crab products produced in China are consumed domestically, resulting in low export volumes. In addition, China has a growing demand for more expensive crab species, including Kamchatka crab from Russia, which are unavailable for domestic fishing, making the country one of the world's largest importers of this product.
In Indonesia, about 171.0 thousand tons of crabs (6.0% of global production) were caught in 2022. Aquaculture is a small part of the national crab fishery and is used mainly for the cultivation of spotted reef crab and red mangrove crab. The catch structure is primarily represented by blue swimmer crab and Indo-Pacific mangrove crab.
Crab production in Vietnam in 2022 amounted to 136.5 thousand tons or 4.8% of the global fishery. The country is actively developing its aquaculture sector, which produces more than half of all crabs, primarily Indo-Pacific mangrove crab.
Canada is rapidly increasing its crab production, being the world's largest exporter of this product in volume terms and the second largest in value terms. By 2022, the volume of crab production in the country reached 107.0 thousand tons, which accounted for 3.8% of the global fishery. The entire production is accounted for by the catch, most of which is the opilio striped crab. Dungeness crab and stone crab are caught in smaller volumes.
Crab production in Russia in 2022 amounted to 96.8 thousand tons or 3.4% of the global total. Russian Kamchatka crab is an important component of the global crab trade due to its size and unique organoleptic properties.
U.S. crab production has been declining rapidly in recent years. Production in the country is exclusively by catch, which in 2022 amounted to 84.4 thousand tons (-28.0% relative to 2021). The decrease in 2022 is due to a sharp decline in the population of the opilio crab as sea water temperatures rise in the northeast Pacific Ocean. Other crab species that form the basis of the U.S. crab industry, including blue crab and Dungeness crab, have also declined in recent years.
In 2023, the volume of global crab imports amounted to 443.4 thousand tons worth USD 5.5 billion. Compared to 2022, the indicator increased by 7.4% in volume terms and decreased by 10.0% in value terms. At the same time, in general, in 2018-2023, the world imports of these products grew annually by an average of 1.3% in volume terms and by 1.0% in value terms.
Frozen crabs consistently dominate the world imports of this product type - in 2023 they accounted for 47.8% of imports in volume terms (211.7 thousand tons) and 37.5% in value terms (USD 2.1 billion). Live, fresh or chilled crabs accounted for 37.1% of global imports in 2023 in volume terms (164.5 thousand tons) and 42.1% (USD 2.3 billion) in value terms. Cooked or canned crabs in the global structure of purchases in 2023 accounted for 13.9% (61.6 thousand tons) in volume terms and 19.6% (USD 1.1 billion) in value terms, other crabs - 1.2% (5.5 thousand tons) and 0.8% (USD 45.9 million), respectively.
The largest importer of crabs in volume terms is the USA, which in 2023 purchased 112.2 thousand tons (25.3% of world imports). China (110.0 thousand tons or 24.8% of world imports) and the Republic of Korea (73.9 thousand tons or 16.7%) ranked second and third in the list of major crab buying countries by the end of the year. Thailand (4.3%) and Japan (3.9%) also entered the top 5 importers of crabs in volume terms. Cumulatively, the top 10 buying countries accounted for 88.7% of global crab imports in volume terms in 2023.
In 2018-2023, China (+37.2% or +29.8 thousand tons) and the United States (+35.1% or +29.1 thousand tons) increased their purchases of crab most noticeably. At the same time, import of this product to Thailand (-19.8% or -4.7 thousand tons), Japan (-20.4% or -4.4 thousand tons) and the Republic of Korea (-5.0% or -3.9 thousand tons) significantly decreased over the same period.
In value terms, the largest importer of crabs in 2023 was the United States, which purchased about USD 1.8 billion worth of crab products (31.9% of world imports). China (USD 1.7 billion or 30.4% of global imports) and the Republic of Korea (USD 771.5 million or 14.1%) also accounted for a significant volume of imports. In addition, Japan (5.0%) and Canada (2.5%) were among the top five major importers of these products in value terms. In total, the top 10 buying countries accounted for 92.2% of global crab imports in value terms by the end of 2023.
In the period 2018-2023, the main growth in global crab imports in value terms was provided by China (+63.6% or +648.3 million USD), the USA (+5.9% or +98.1 million USD) and the Republic of Korea (+6.5% or +46.8 million USD). At the same time, imports of this product to Japan (-34.1% or USD -140.6 million) and Hong Kong (-25.4% or USD -45.2 million) decreased significantly over the same period.
In 2023, the world export of crabs amounted to 424.0 thousand tons worth USD 5.5 billion. Compared to 2022, the value increased by 6.4% in volume terms and decreased by 7.0% in value terms. During 2018-2023, global exports of these products increased annually by an average of 0.8% in volume terms and 0.4% in value terms.
Frozen crabs consistently make up the bulk of world crab exports - in 2023 they accounted for 51.7% of exports in volume terms (219.3 thousand tons) and 40.6% in value terms (USD 2.2 billion). The share of live, fresh or chilled crab in the total structure of shipments at year-end was 35.2% (149.1 thousand tons) in volume terms and 39.0% (USD 2.1 billion) in value terms. Exports of cooked or canned crabs in 2023 reached 11.9% of the global total in volume terms (50.6 thousand tons) and 19.6% in value terms (USD 1.1 billion). Shipments of other crabs accounted for 1.2% of global exports in volume terms (5.0 thousand tons) and 0.9% in value terms (USD 47.9 million).
The largest suppliers of crabs to the world market in volume terms in 2023 were Canada (86.5 thousand tons or 20.4% of world exports) and Russia (81.3 thousand tons or 19.2%). China (11.1%), Indonesia (6.9%) and the USA (4.5%) were also among the top five exporters by the end of the year. In total, the top 10 countries supplying crab to the global market in 2023 accounted for 79.4% of global exports of this product in volume terms.
In 2018-2023, the most notable increase in crab supplies was observed from Canada (+50.0% or +28.9 thousand tons), Russia (+16.1% or +11.3 thousand tons) and Pakistan (2.5 times or +10.5 thousand tons). At the same time, the export of these products from China (-35.4% or -25.8 thousand tons) and Great Britain (-31.2% or -5.2 thousand tons) significantly decreased.
In the structure of crab exports in value terms in 2023, Russia (USD 1.6 billion or 28.7% of global exports in value terms), Canada (USD 1.1 billion or 20.5%) and China (USD 641.8 million or 11.7%) had the largest share. Indonesia (8.2%) and the Republic of Korea (4.0%) were also among the top exporters at the end of the year. In total, the top 10 countries supplying crabs to foreign markets in 2023 accounted for 85.4% of global exports of this product in value terms.
In the period 2018-2023, there was a significant increase in crab exports in value terms from Russia (+45.0% or +488.5 million USD), Canada (+9.7% or +99.4 million USD) and Norway (+62.9% or +66.7 million USD). At the same time, the export of these products from China (-37.9% or USD 390.9 million) noticeably decreased.
The average import price of ready-to-eat or canned crabs at the end of 2023 decreased by 19.5% relative to 2022 and amounted to USD 17,476 per ton. Among the leading importing countries, the most expensive products were purchased by Germany (35.4% higher than the average world price), the USA (31.6% higher) and Japan (12.7% higher). The lowest purchase prices were in Malaysia (97.3% below the world average price), the Philippines (88.3% lower) and France (34.7% lower).
The average export price of ready-to-eat or canned crab in 2023 was USD 21,240 per ton, decreasing by 1.5% from the 2022 level. The most expensive products among the leading exporting countries were supplied by India (33.4% higher than the world average price), Mexico (19.1% higher) and Indonesia (13.1% higher). The lowest prices were recorded for shipments of cooked or canned crab from the USA (56.2% below the world average price), the Republic of Korea (35.4% below) and Thailand (34.1% below).
The average import price of live, fresh or chilled crabs by the end of 2023 increased by 7.4% compared to 2022 and was USD 14,018 per ton. Among the leading importing countries the most expensive products were purchased by Hong Kong (49.7% higher than the average world price), the USA (43.3% higher) and the Republic of Korea (26.9% higher). The lowest purchase prices were observed in Thailand (77.2% below the world average price), Spain (65.4% below) and France (54.3% below).
The average export price of live, fresh or chilled crabs in 2023 was USD 14,345 per ton, increasing by 12.4% from the 2022 level. Among the leading exporting countries, the most expensive products were supplied by Norway (2.8 times higher than the world average price), the Republic of Korea (2.4 times higher) and Russia (79.6% higher). The lowest prices were recorded for supplies of live, fresh or chilled crabs from Malaysia (80.2% below the world average price), Myanmar (71.9% below) and Philippines (71.2% below).
The average import price of frozen crabs by the end of 2023 decreased by 31.0% compared to 2022 and amounted to USD 9,701 per ton. Among the leading importing countries, the most expensive products were purchased by Hong Kong (54.2% higher than the average world price), Denmark (29.6% higher) and the USA (28.5% higher). The lowest purchase prices were in Thailand (72.3% below the world average price), Malaysia (64.2% below) and Taiwan (59.3% below).
The average export price of frozen crab in 2023 was US$10,171/ton, decreasing by 29.4% from the 2022 level. Among the top exporting countries, the most expensive products were supplied by Chile (89.9% higher than the global average price), Norway (47.8% higher) and the United States (44.6% higher). The lowest prices were recorded for supplies of frozen crabs from Pakistan (74.7% below the world average price), Tunisia (61.7% below) and Myanmar (37.5% below).
