Europe: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Europe

After five years of growth, the Europe crab and crab meat market decreased by -12.8% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, showed a resilient expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Europe

In value terms, crab and crab meat production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in Europe

Crab and crab meat exports amounted to X tons in 2021, surging by 7.2% on the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +9.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +128.9% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports enjoyed significant growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Russia prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 64% of total exports in 2021. The UK (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Norway (X tons), France (X tons) and Ireland (X tons). All these countries together took near 25% share of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to crab and crab meat exports from Russia stood at +14.0%. At the same time, Norway (+20.5%), the Netherlands (+18.3%), France (+12.5%) and Denmark (+9.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Norway emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +20.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, the UK (-2.1%) and Ireland (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Russia, Norway and the Netherlands increased by +19, +3.7 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the largest crab and crab meat supplier in Europe, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Norway ($X), with a 7% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia totaled +29.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Norway (+25.5% per year) and the UK (+2.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 47% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed buoyant growth. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the UK ($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 (+13.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in Europe

In 2021, crab and crab meat imports in Europe skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 32% compared with the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% 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

In 2021, France (X tons) represented the major importer of crabs and crab meat, mixing up 36% of total imports. Spain (X tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (8.2%), Denmark (7.7%), Portugal (7.2%) and Italy (6.2%). Norway (X tons) held a little 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 Norway (with a CAGR of +42.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in Europe, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Denmark ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 13% 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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