Japan: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Japan

The Japanese crab and crab meat market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, with an increase of 30% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Japan

In value terms, crab and crab meat production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 25%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Japan

In 2021, overseas shipments of crabs and crab meat decreased by -2.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, total exports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -25.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 43%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 51%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons) was the main destination for crab and crab meat exports from Japan, with a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, crab and crab meat exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (X tons), threefold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia totaled +40.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (+15.7% per year) and the United States (+23.2% per year).

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X), Namibia ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for crab and crab meat exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 61% share of total exports.

Namibia, with a CAGR of +50.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 31% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 export price increased by +78.5% against 2016 indices. 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 Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($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 Vietnam (+14.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Japan

In 2021, the amount of crabs and crab meat imported into Japan expanded sharply to X tons, growing by 6.3% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt decrease. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced setback. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Russia (X tons) constituted the largest crab and crab meat supplier to Japan, accounting for a 48% share of total imports. Moreover, crab and crab meat imports from Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Canada (X tons), twofold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Russia totaled -14.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (-6.7% per year) and the United States (-8.4% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of crabs and crab meat to Japan, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Russia amounted to -3.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (+0.7% per year) and the United States (-5.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a buoyant expansion. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the price for Bahrain ($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 (+12.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :