South Africa: Market for Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat 2025

Market Size for Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat in South Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the South African market for frozen crabs and crabs meat, when its value decreased by -43.6% to $X. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a buoyant increase. Frozen crab and crab meat consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Exports of Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of frozen crabs and crabs meat decreased by -4.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen crab and crab meat exports amounted to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 44%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for frozen crab and crab meat exports from South Africa, with a 53% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen crab and crab meat exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held 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 +9.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-13.2% per year) and Botswana (+27.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for frozen crab and crab meat exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zambia ($X), with a combined 80% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Botswana, with a CAGR of +34.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 export price for frozen crabs and crabs meat stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 87% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, 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 (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Frozen Crabs And Crabs Meat

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of frozen crabs and crabs meat decreased by -45.5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, frozen crab and crab meat imports shrank remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 71%. Imports peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) were the main suppliers of frozen crab and crab meat imports to South Africa, with a combined 99.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Kenya (with a CAGR of +33.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Namibia ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Kenya ($X) appeared to be the largest frozen crab and crab meat suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 99.9% share of total imports.

Kenya, with a CAGR of +47.5%, 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

In 2021, the average import price for frozen crabs and crabs meat amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 42% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a 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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