Crab and Crab Meat Market

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the global market for crabs and crab meat, highlighting consumption trends, production volumes, import and export data, and key insights into major countries such as China, Indonesia, the United States, Russia, Canada, and more. The analysis includes expected trends for the period from 2022 to 2030, projecting increases in market volume and value. Key statistics include consumption levels, production volumes, import and export figures, as well as average prices and growth rates over the last decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for crabs and crab meat worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.9M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $39.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Crabs and Crab Meat

In 2022, the amount of crabs and crab meat consumed worldwide was estimated at 3.3M tons, leveling off at the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 3.4M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global crab and crab meat market value amounted to $28.2B in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at $31.2B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (1.9M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of crab and crab meat consumption, comprising approx. 56% of total volume. Moreover, crab and crab meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Indonesia (296K tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (171K tons), with a 5.1% share.

In China, crab and crab meat consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Indonesia (+15.0% per year) and the United States (-1.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($14.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($2.2B). It was followed by the United States.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Indonesia (+13.2% per year) and the United States (+2.3% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of crab and crab meat per capita consumption in 2022 were South Korea (1,458 kg per 1000 persons), China (1,323 kg per 1000 persons) and Indonesia (1,061 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +13.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Crabs and Crab Meat

In 2022, approx. 3.3M tons of crabs and crab meat were produced worldwide; leveling off at the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 3.4M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat production totaled $29B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $31.7B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (1.8M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of crab and crab meat production, comprising approx. 54% of total volume. Moreover, crab and crab meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Indonesia (302K tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Russia (130K tons), with a 3.9% share.

In China, crab and crab meat production increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Indonesia (+13.2% per year) and Russia (+1.9% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Global crab and crab meat imports dropped to 361K tons in 2022, waning by -2% against 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 368K tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports shrank to $6B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $6.4B, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports By Country

China (92K tons) and the United States (75K tons) represented roughly 46% of total imports in 2022. South Korea (45K tons) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Thailand (6.9%) and Japan (6.3%). France (15K tons), Canada (11K tons), Indonesia (10K tons), Spain (8.4K tons), Vietnam (7.6K tons), Hong Kong SAR (6.7K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (6.7K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Thailand (with a CAGR of +22.0%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat importing markets worldwide were the United States ($2.2B), China ($1.6B) and South Korea ($583M), with a combined 72% share of global imports. Japan, Canada, France, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Spain and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Thailand, with a CAGR of +18.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average crab and crab meat import price stood at $16,752 per ton in 2022, reducing by -4.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, crab and crab meat import price increased by +84.4% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $17,483 per ton, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($29,645 per ton), while Thailand ($3,079 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

In 2022, approx. 377K tons of crabs and crab meat were exported worldwide; with an increase of 1.7% against 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports fell to $6.2B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 40%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $6.5B, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Russia (78K tons) and Canada (70K tons) were the major exporters of crabs and crab meatin the world, together resulting at approx. 39% of total exports. China (29K tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Myanmar (19K tons). All these countries together held near 12% share of total exports. The following exporters - Indonesia (16K tons), the United States (15K tons), Vietnam (14K tons), Bahrain (12K tons), Pakistan (11K tons), the UK (10K tons), Bangladesh (8.6K tons), Tunisia (8.1K tons) and France (8.1K tons) - together made up 27% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Tunisia (with a CAGR of +228.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Russia ($2.6B), Canada ($1.5B) and China ($261M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 71% of global exports. The United States, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, the UK, Bangladesh, France, Bahrain, Pakistan and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Tunisia, with a CAGR of +172.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $16,302 per ton in 2022, falling by -7.3% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, crab and crab meat export price increased by +78.2% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $17,585 per ton, and then fell in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($33,282 per ton), while Pakistan ($2,663 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+10.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform