EU: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in the EU

The EU crab and crab meat market expanded modestly to $X in 2021, growing by 3.5% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in the EU

In value terms, crab and crab meat production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -13.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in the EU

In 2021, crab and crab meat exports in the European Union skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 28% compared with the previous year. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +48.8% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 36%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Ireland (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) represented roughly 81% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Portugal (X tons), creating a 7.4% share of total exports. Spain (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +19.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat supplying countries in the European Union were Denmark ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 62% of total exports. These countries were followed by Ireland, Portugal, Sweden and Spain, which together accounted for a further 31%.

Among the main exporting countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +20.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. Export price indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% 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 export price increased by +50.2% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

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 Denmark ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+10.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in the EU

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were imported in the European Union; growing by 34% against 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

France represented the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 39% of total imports. Spain (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 21% share, followed by the Netherlands (8.8%), Denmark (8.3%), Portugal (7.7%) and Italy (6.7%). Sweden (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +13.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in the European Union, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Denmark ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in France stood at +6.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Denmark (+19.1% per year) and Spain (-0.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.6% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 16%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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