Australia: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Australia

The Australian crab and crab meat market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Australia

In value terms, crab and crab meat production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 40% against the previous year. Crab and crab meat production peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Australia

For the third year in a row, Australia recorded decline in overseas shipments of crabs and crab meat, which decreased by -2.3% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and Canada (X tons) were the main destinations of crab and crab meat exports from Australia, with a combined 94% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +106.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for crabs and crab meat exports from Australia, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Thailand ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Canada, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +4.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (+20.2% per year) and Canada (+86.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 35% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced increase. As a result, the export 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 suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Taiwan (Chinese) (+24.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Australia

In 2021, the amount of crabs and crab meat imported into Australia surged to X tons, increasing by 36% on the year before. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight downturn. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -25.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 30%. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Myanmar (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) were the main suppliers of crab and crab meat imports to Australia, with a combined 58% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Tunisia (with a CAGR of +71.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to Australia were Myanmar ($X), Thailand ($X) and Chile ($X), together comprising 48% of total imports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Tunisia, Russia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, the United States and Malaysia, which together accounted for a further 43%.

Tunisia, with a CAGR of +60.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -6.9% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% 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 decreased by -13.6% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 36% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the price for Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+21.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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