SADC: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in SADC

The SADC crab and crab meat market contracted to $X in 2021, which is down by -14.4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in SADC

In value terms, crab and crab meat production shrank remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +28.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 56%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank notably in the following year.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in SADC

In 2021, crab and crab meat exports in SADC fell dramatically to X tons, reducing by -23.3% against the year before. Total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +15.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports contracted sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 77% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Madagascar represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 59% of total exports. Angola (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Tanzania (15%) and Mozambique (9.7%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to crab and crab meat exports from Madagascar stood at +13.6%. At the same time, Angola (+71.4%), Tanzania (+8.0%) and Mozambique (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Angola emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +71.4% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Madagascar, Angola and Tanzania increased by +26, +16 and +2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Madagascar ($X) remains the largest crab and crab meat supplier in SADC, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Angola, with an 11% share.

In Madagascar, crab and crab meat exports increased at an average annual rate of +15.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+2.2% per year) and Angola (+95.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -15.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 39%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+14.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in SADC

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of crabs and crab meat, when their volume decreased by -37.8% to X tons. Total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 61%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then declined significantly in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports declined markedly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 31%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importer of crabs and crab meat in SADC, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 74% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Mauritius (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons), together committing a 19% share of total imports. The following importers - Zambia (X tons), Seychelles (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) - each resulted at a 5.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to crab and crab meat imports into South Africa stood at +4.8%. At the same time, Madagascar (+94.6%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+27.9%) and Zambia (+7.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +94.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Seychelles (-6.1%) and Mauritius (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+18 p.p.) and Madagascar (+6.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Seychelles (-1.7 p.p.) and Mauritius (-13.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in SADC, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Seychelles, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at +4.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (-1.9% per year) and Seychelles (+6.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 37%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Seychelles ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Seychelles (+13.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform