Portugal: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Portugal

In 2021, the Portuguese crab and crab meat market decreased by -19.9% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, the total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -35.9% against 2019 indices. Crab and crab meat consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Portugal

In value terms, crab and crab meat production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 120% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Portugal

In 2021, overseas shipments of crabs and crab meat were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports showed a prominent increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a significant expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of crab and crab meat exports from Portugal, together comprising 94% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +117.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the key foreign market for crabs and crab meat exports from Portugal, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Spain totaled +14.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+93.5% per year) and China (+134.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 China (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, supplies from abroad of crabs and crab meat decreased by -0.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 19%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -15.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 35%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) were the main suppliers of crab and crab meat imports to Portugal, together comprising 80% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of crabs and crab meat to Portugal, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Ireland, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from France stood at +19.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-6.2% per year) and Ireland (+7.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 16% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 30% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($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 UK (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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