Western Africa: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Western Africa

After two years of growth, the West African crab and crab meat market decreased by -4.4% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Western Africa

In value terms, crab and crab meat production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, the amount of crabs and crab meat exported in Western Africa soared to X tons, rising by 59% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports saw a measured expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 243% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 381% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Senegal was the key exporter of crabs and crab meat in Western Africa, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 49% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Mauritania (X tons) and Gambia (X tons), together comprising a 51% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Gambia (with a CAGR of +165.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest crab and crab meat supplying countries in Western Africa were Mauritania ($X), Senegal ($X) and Gambia ($X), with a combined 99% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Gambia, with a CAGR of +206.2%, recorded 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 export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -3.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 44%. The level of export peaked 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 amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mauritania ($X per ton), while Gambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Gambia (+15.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of crabs and crab meat decreased by -23.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 305% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 126%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Nigeria dominates imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 55% of total imports in 2021. Liberia (X kg) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Cabo Verde (X kg), Burkina Faso (X kg) and Niger (X kg). All these countries together took approx. 26% share of total imports. The following importers - Ghana (X kg) and Mauritania (X kg) - each amounted to a 7.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to crab and crab meat imports into Nigeria stood at +40.2%. At the same time, Niger (+98.1%), Liberia (+63.6%) and Burkina Faso (+33.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +98.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cabo Verde (-5.3%), Ghana (-16.5%) and Mauritania (-21.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+50 p.p.), Liberia (+7.9 p.p.), Niger (+5.1 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+5 p.p.) and Mauritania (+3.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Cabo Verde (-18.2 p.p.) and Ghana (-42.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported crabs and crab meat in Western Africa, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Cabo Verde ($X), with a 4.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Liberia, with a 3.2% share.

In Nigeria, crab and crab meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +43.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cabo Verde (+0.3% per year) and Liberia (+33.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 83% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw pronounced growth. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+31.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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