South Africa: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2024

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in South Africa

After two years of growth, the South African crab and crab meat market decreased by -38.6% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a prominent increase. Crab and crab meat consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell notably in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in South Africa

In value terms, crab and crab meat production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 91% against the previous year. Crab and crab meat production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were exported from South Africa; with a decrease of -6.6% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 146% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports fell to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 123% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for crab and crab meat exports from South Africa, accounting for a 50% share of total exports. Moreover, crab and crab meat exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Botswana (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zambia totaled +6.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-10.9% per year) and Botswana (+21.5% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zambia ($X) constituted the largest markets for crab and crab meat exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 78% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Botswana, with a CAGR of +26.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 44%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Mauritius (+14.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into South Africa

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of crabs and crab meat decreased by -44.5% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 132%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then shrank notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) were the main suppliers of crab and crab meat imports to South Africa, together accounting for 100% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Kenya (with a CAGR of +33.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to South Africa were Namibia ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Kenya ($X), together comprising 100% of total imports.

Kenya, with a CAGR of +47.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the average crab and crab meat import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.8% 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 when the average import price increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while the price for Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+10.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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