Africa: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the African crab and crab meat market, when its value decreased by -2.7% to $X. The total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +67.2% against 2012 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Africa

In value terms, crab and crab meat production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +53.2% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in Africa

Crab and crab meat exports fell remarkably to X tons in 2021, waning by -25.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 45%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then fell significantly in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports declined sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Tunisia (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons) were the largest exporters of crabs and crab meat in Africa, together amounting to approx. 69% of total exports. Angola (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Tanzania (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 21% share of total exports. The following exporters - Senegal (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) - each recorded a 5.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Angola (with a CAGR of +71.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Tanzania ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 76% share of total exports. Angola, Kenya, Mozambique and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

Among the main exporting countries, Angola, with a CAGR of +95.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while Angola ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+14.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of crabs and crab meat decreased by -34.1% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports saw a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 50% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports reduced to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 60% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Mauritius (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons), together mixing up a 29% share of total imports. Zambia (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Madagascar (+94.6%) and Zambia (+7.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +94.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Egypt (-6.2%), Mauritius (-6.6%) and Algeria (-11.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+25 p.p.) and Madagascar (+5.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Egypt (-3.8 p.p.), Mauritius (-6.5 p.p.) and Algeria (-12 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in Africa, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Mauritius, with a 13% share.

In South Africa, crab and crab meat imports increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (+4.1% per year) and Mauritius (-1.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 31% against the previous year. Import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, crab and crab meat import price increased by +85.1% against 2015 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+11.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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