Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat 2025

Market Size for Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American market for frozen crabs and crabs meat contracted modestly to $X in 2021, dropping by -2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a significant increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, frozen crab and crab meat production expanded remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 72%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Frozen crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, rising by 37% against 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen crab and crab meat exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% 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 -10.1% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Chile represented the main exporter of frozen crabs and crabs meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 51% of total exports in 2021. Mexico (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Argentina (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons). All these countries together held near 48% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +6.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Chile ($X) remains the largest frozen crab and crab meat supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 13% share.

In Chile, frozen crab and crab meat exports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (-1.0% per year) and Mexico (+15.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, frozen crab and crab meat export price decreased by -12.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 16%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+10.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, purchases abroad of frozen crabs and crabs meat increased by 26% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, showed a perceptible shrinkage. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen crab and crab meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Mexico was the major importer of frozen crabs and crabs meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 34% of total imports in 2021. Jamaica (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the Dominican Republic (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and Peru (X tons). All these countries together held near 39% share of total imports. Costa Rica (X tons), Curacao (X tons), Panama (X tons), Chile (X tons), Bahamas (X tons) and Aruba (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to frozen crab and crab meat imports into Mexico stood at -6.2%. At the same time, Panama (+110.5%), Curacao (+50.3%), Ecuador (+46.7%), Guatemala (+31.5%), the Dominican Republic (+15.3%), Costa Rica (+12.4%), Peru (+9.4%), Jamaica (+7.7%) and Brazil (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +110.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Chile (-12.2%), Aruba (-15.6%) and Bahamas (-17.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Jamaica (+6.4 p.p.), Ecuador (+5.5 p.p.), Guatemala (+5.5 p.p.), the Dominican Republic (+4.6 p.p.), Peru (+2.9 p.p.), Curacao (+2.8 p.p.), Panama (+2.6 p.p.), Costa Rica (+2.1 p.p.) and Brazil (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Chile (-4.2 p.p.), Aruba (-4.8 p.p.), Bahamas (-6 p.p.) and Mexico (-15.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen crabs and crabs meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Jamaica, with a 12% share.

In Mexico, frozen crab and crab meat imports contracted by an average annual rate of -3.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+4.2% per year) and Jamaica (+9.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, surging by 30% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. 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 destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Guatemala ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+11.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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