Netherlands: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in the Netherlands

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in the Dutch crab and crab meat market, when its value increased by 63% to $X. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in the Netherlands

In value terms, crab and crab meat production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +4.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 43% against the previous year. Crab and crab meat production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of crabs and crab meat, when their volume decreased by -28.1% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 121%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 130%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for crab and crab meat exports from the Netherlands, with a 40% share of total exports. Moreover, crab and crab meat exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), twofold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled +68.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+29.1% per year) and Germany (+19.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for crabs and crab meat exports from the Netherlands, comprising 39% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China totaled +67.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+25.7% per year) and Germany (+24.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($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 Japan (+12.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were imported into the Netherlands; jumping by 167% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports saw a strong increase. 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. In general, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 71%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Ireland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of crab and crab meat imports to the Netherlands, together accounting for 49% of total imports. The UK, China, Belgium, Nigeria, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Bangladesh, Russia and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +104.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Norway ($X), Germany ($X) and Ireland ($X) were the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to the Netherlands, with a combined 42% share of total imports. France, the UK, Belgium, Canada, China, Russia, Bangladesh, Spain, Denmark and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 50%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +871.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -42.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 33%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per ton), while the price for Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+10.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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