Argentina: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Argentina

The Argentinian crab and crab meat market surged to $X in 2021, increasing by 55% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. Crab and crab meat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Argentina

In value terms, crab and crab meat production expanded sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 71%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Argentina

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were exported from Argentina; which is down by -21.4% against the year before. Overall, exports recorded a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports contracted notably to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for crab and crab meat exports from Argentina, accounting for a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, crab and crab meat exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States totaled -12.6%.

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for crabs and crab meat exports from Argentina, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States totaled -4.0%.

Export Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 3.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 82% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+12.2%).

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Argentina

In 2021, imports of crabs and crab meat into Argentina skyrocketed to X kg, surging by 952% on the year before. Overall, imports showed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 6,833% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X kg in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 3,664%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X kg) constituted the largest crab and crab meat supplier to Argentina, with a 88% share of total imports. Moreover, crab and crab meat imports from Chile exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Kenya (X kg), more than tenfold. Belize (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Chile amounted to -12.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kenya (+83.3% per year) and Belize (+30.5% per year).

In value terms, Chile ($X) constituted the largest supplier of crabs and crab meat to Argentina, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belize ($X), with a 4.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Kenya, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Chile totaled -8.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belize (+33.9% per year) and Kenya (-4.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -18.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average import price increased by 479%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from the United States ($X per ton) and Belize ($X per ton), while the price for Chile ($X per ton) and Kenya ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+4.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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