Spain: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2024

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Spain

In 2021, the Spanish crab and crab meat market decreased by -0.1% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Spain

In value terms, crab and crab meat production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 137% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Spain

In 2021, the amount of crabs and crab meat exported from Spain rose sharply to X tons, picking up by 5.3% against 2020 figures. In general, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 192% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 94%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of crab and crab meat exports from Spain, with a combined 82% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, Norway, Greece, China and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 8.4%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Norway (with a CAGR of +69.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Portugal ($X), France ($X) and Italy ($X) constituted the largest markets for crab and crab meat exported from Spain worldwide, together accounting for 69% of total exports. These countries were followed by Greece, the UK, Norway, China and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 9.3%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +41.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Greece ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sweden ($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 Greece (+21.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Spain

In 2021, the amount of crabs and crab meat imported into Spain shrank to X tons, waning by -7.8% on 2020. Over the period under review, imports showed a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of crab and crab meat to Spain, accounting for a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, crab and crab meat imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Ireland (X tons), twofold. Portugal (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from France totaled +14.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ireland (+2.6% per year) and Portugal (+0.8% per year).

In value terms, France ($X), Ireland ($X) and Portugal ($X) were the largest crab and crab meat suppliers to Spain, together accounting for 74% of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, Senegal, Morocco and Italy, which together accounted for a further 8.9%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Italy, with a CAGR of +20.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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