Oman: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Oman

After two years of growth, the Omani crab and crab meat market decreased by -12.7% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, saw resilient growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Oman

In value terms, crab and crab meat production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 105%. Crab and crab meat production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Oman

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were exported from Oman; increasing by 314% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, exports enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 442% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 509%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the main destination for crab and crab meat exports from Oman, accounting for a 91% share of total exports. Moreover, crab and crab meat exports to the United Arab Emirates exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Qatar (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United Arab Emirates amounted to +69.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Qatar (+301.9% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+23.2% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for crab and crab meat exported from Oman were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Qatar ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), together accounting for 99% of total exports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +378.7%, 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

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -61.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a notable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 117%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then plummeted in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($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 Malaysia (+57.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Oman

In 2021, supplies from abroad of crabs and crab meat decreased by -36.1% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports saw a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 1,697%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 904% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Tanzania (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) were the main suppliers of crab and crab meat imports to Oman, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +311.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to Oman were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Yemen ($X), together accounting for 91% of total imports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +238.1%, saw the highest growth rate of 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, picking up by 2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 86%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 France ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+17.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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