Eastern Asia: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Eastern Asia

The East Asian crab and crab meat market shrank modestly to $X in 2021, falling by -2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. 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 Eastern Asia

In value terms, crab and crab meat production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 22%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, crab and crab meat exports in Eastern Asia rose remarkably to X tons, increasing by 9.7% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 83% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons), together making up a 15% share of total exports. Japan (X tons) took a little 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, Japan (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Japan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +1.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Korea (-1.4%) and Hong Kong SAR (-5.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+6.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Hong Kong SAR saw its share reduced by -4.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest crab and crab meat supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 7.3% share.

In China, crab and crab meat exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+3.5% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-8.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained 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 Japan ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas purchases of crabs and crab meat were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure 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 resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine-year period. 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

In 2021, China (X tons) was the main importer of crabs and crab meat, committing 51% of total imports. South Korea (X tons) held a 27% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Japan (13%) and Hong Kong SAR (5%). Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by South Korea (with a CAGR of +4.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in Eastern Asia, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 22% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +13.4%. 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

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Import price indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% 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 +92.1% against 2013 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($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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