Asia-Pacific: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific crab and crab meat market fell to $X in 2021, which is down by -1.9% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Asia-Pacific

In value terms, crab and crab meat production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 23%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were exported in Asia-Pacific; with an increase of 17% on 2020 figures. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China was the key exporter of crabs and crab meat in Asia-Pacific, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 31% of total exports in 2021. Indonesia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Myanmar (12%), Pakistan (7.8%), Bangladesh (6.6%), Malaysia (5.3%) and Thailand (4.9%). Vietnam (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of crabs and crab meat. At the same time, Malaysia (+24.1%), Thailand (+5.9%), Myanmar (+3.4%), Vietnam (+2.9%) and Bangladesh (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia-Pacific, with a CAGR of +24.1% from 2012-2021. Pakistan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Indonesia (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malaysia (+4.6 p.p.), Myanmar (+3 p.p.) and Thailand (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Indonesia saw its share reduced by -3.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest crab and crab meat supplier in Asia-Pacific, comprising 33% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Myanmar, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (-6.2% per year) and Myanmar (-1.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 17%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, purchases abroad of crabs and crab meat increased by 8.2% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China was the largest importer of crabs and crab meat in Asia-Pacific, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 40% of total imports in 2021. South Korea (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 22% share, followed by Japan (10%) and Thailand (9%). Hong Kong SAR (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +20.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in Asia-Pacific, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 20% share.

In China, crab and crab meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-2.6% per year) and South Korea (+12.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Import price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine years. 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 +71.7% against 2013 indices. As a result, import price attained 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 Japan ($X per ton), while Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+9.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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