Belgium: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2024

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Belgium

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in the Belgian crab and crab meat market, when its value increased by 18% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Belgium

In value terms, crab and crab meat production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Belgium

Crab and crab meat exports from Belgium surged to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 27% on the previous year. In general, exports showed a mild expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 83% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 61% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main destinations of crab and crab meat exports from Belgium, together accounting for 83% of total exports. These countries were followed by Luxembourg, Portugal, Germany and the UK, which together accounted for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Luxembourg (with a CAGR of +20.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for crab and crab meat exported from Belgium were France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Spain ($X), together accounting for 82% of total exports. Luxembourg, Portugal, Germany and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

Luxembourg, with a CAGR of +17.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -7.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 19% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Portugal ($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 Spain (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, purchases abroad of crabs and crab meat increased by 30% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 87%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 39%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), China (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of crab and crab meat imports to Belgium, with a combined 55% share of total imports. Chile, Sweden, Ireland, Nigeria, Russia, the UK, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Senegal and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +128.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Sweden ($X) were the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to Belgium, together comprising 48% of total imports. Chile, Russia, China, Ireland, Luxembourg, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the UK, Nigeria and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +152.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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, picking up by 4.7% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% 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 decreased by -34.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 27%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 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 ($X per ton), while the price for Senegal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+15.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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