South-Eastern Asia: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, the Southeast Asian crab and crab meat market decreased by -2.8% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in South-Eastern Asia

In value terms, crab and crab meat production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, shipments abroad of crabs and crab meat increased by 20% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons) and Myanmar (X tons) represented roughly 60% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons), together mixing up a 35% share of total exports. The Philippines (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Malaysia (with a CAGR of +24.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X), Myanmar ($X) and Vietnam ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 67% of total exports. Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Malaysia, with a CAGR of +26.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 1.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 38%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($X per ton), while Myanmar ($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 Philippines (+11.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, the amount of crabs and crab meat imported in South-Eastern Asia rose modestly to X tons, picking up by 3.6% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports showed buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 32%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% 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 -18.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 22%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) represented the main importer of crabs and crab meat, constituting 46% of total imports. Indonesia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Malaysia (X tons), Vietnam (X tons) and Singapore (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 53% share of total imports.

Thailand was also the fastest-growing in terms of the crabs and crab meat imports, with a CAGR of +20.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Vietnam (+11.5%) and Indonesia (+4.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Malaysia (-1.6%) and Singapore (-5.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Thailand (+31 p.p.) and Vietnam (+4.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore saw its share reduced by -2.7%, -13.7% and -16.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat importing markets in South-Eastern Asia were Indonesia ($X), Vietnam ($X) and Thailand ($X), together accounting for 73% of total imports.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +18.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 8.2%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Singapore ($X per ton), while Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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