Kenya: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2024

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Kenya

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the Kenyan crab and crab meat market, when its value decreased by -3% to $X. Overall, consumption showed a slight decline. Crab and crab meat consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Kenya

In value terms, crab and crab meat production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 52%. Crab and crab meat production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Kenya

After four years of growth, overseas shipments of crabs and crab meat decreased by -29.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 165% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports shrank markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 74%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for crab and crab meat exports from Kenya, with a 76% share of total exports. Moreover, crab and crab meat exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Africa (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled +84.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+70.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-7.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for crabs and crab meat exports from Kenya, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China amounted to +76.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+78.9% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 14% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo ($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 the United Arab Emirates (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Kenya

In 2021, supplies from abroad of crabs and crab meat decreased by 0% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 348%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 379% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Somalia (X tons) constituted the largest crab and crab meat supplier to Kenya, accounting for a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, crab and crab meat imports from Somalia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Tanzania (X tons), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Somalia was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tanzania (0.0% per year) and China (0.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to Kenya were Somalia ($X), Tanzania ($X) and China ($X), together accounting for 99.9% of total imports.

Somalia, with a CAGR of 0.0%, 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, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 77% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Somalia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+159.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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