Crab Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Crab Market Report is Segmented by Type (Red King Crab, Blue King Crab, and More) and by Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and More). The Report Includes Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume), Export Analysis (Value and Volume), Import Analysis (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Metric Tons).

Crab Market Size and Share

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Compare market size and growth of Crab Market with other markets in Agriculture Industry

Crab Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Crab Market size is estimated at USD 13.04 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 16.17 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.40% during the forecast period. Strong consumer demand in both retail and food-service channels, widening acceptance of premium species, and sustained price premiums for certified sustainable catch underpin this growth. Asia-Pacific’s integrated processing networks and rising domestic aquaculture volumes secure the region’s leadership, while sanctions-driven supply rerouting toward China has reshaped global trade lanes. North American producers benefit from constrained wild-catch quotas that elevate prices, and technology investments such as automated sorting improve yields and margins. Climate variability remains the overarching structural challenge, but diversified sourcing, aquaculture fattening, and upgraded cold-chain infrastructure help the crab market maintain momentum.

Key Report Takeaways

• By type, Opilio led with 17.5% of the crab market share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 5.3% CAGR through 2030.

• By geography, Asia-Pacific dominated with 61.8% value share in 2024, while North America is set to post the fastest 4.6% CAGR to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Type: Opilio Dominance Reflects Climate Adaptability

Opilio generated 17.5% of the crab market share in 2024 and is forecast to expand at a 5.3% CAGR by 2030, giving the segment the highest contribution to crab market size growth over the outlook period. Its cold-tolerant biology supports stable recruitment even as temperature bands migrate northward, and processors favor Opilio for its uniform cluster size that simplifies automated grading. The reopening of select quotas in the Barents Sea offers additional headroom for harvesters that meet traceability standards.

Premium Red King Crab remains scarce; Alaska’s 2024-25 quota of 2.1 million lb, less than half the 2018 harvest, locks in scarcity premiums that exceed USD 50 per lb at wholesale. Blue King Crab and Tanner crab occupy niche food service channels, while Dungeness faces tightening supply after record 108 million lb landings in 2023 drove 2025 spot prices to USD 4 lb. Adoption of CrabScan360 image-analysis reduces defect rates across all species, improving yield by up to 7% and lowering rework expenses. Collectively, technology infusion and targeted quota management underpin resilience across the crab market.

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific held 61.8% of the 2024 consumption value, cementing its status as the anchor of the global crab market. China imported USD 1.3 billion in crab alongside domestic mitten-crab output of 1.18 million metric tons, leveraging vertically integrated slaughter, processing, and e-commerce channels to internalize value[3]Frontiers in Marine Science, “Advances in Chinese Mitten Crab Aquaculture,” frontiersin.org. Russian rerouting of 17,000 million metric tons in Q1 2025 further consolidated regional supplies, while Japanese retail benefited from steep price drops that spurred volume growth. AIoT deployment in pond culture and factory settings points to continued productivity gains.

North America records the fastest expansion at 4.6% CAGR through 2030. The Bristol Bay red-king-crab fishery reopened with a 1,048 million metric tons TAC in 2025, demonstrating cautious resource stewardship. Yet the Bering Sea snow-crab fishery stays shut, compelling import substitution and bolstering domestic premiums. Proposed 25% US tariffs on Canadian crab could upend supply for processors reliant on 50,000 metric tons annual inflows, injecting volatility that favors vertically integrated fleets.

Europe sustains modest growth on the back of record Norwegian snow and king-crab exports worth NOK 300 million (USD 28 million) to the US in March 2025, reflecting agile trade rerouting. Certification uptake surpasses other regions, with MSC-approved volumes capturing shelf space in premium retailers. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern processors in the UAE commit USD 1.5 billion to local seafood capacity, signaling new downstream demand. Africa remains nascent yet benefits from UNCTAD-tracked USD 39 billion South-South fish trade, opening corridors for artisanal crab.

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Recent Industry Developments

  • May 2025: Canada’s Gulf snow crab fishery will wrap up by May 23, 2025, with most quotas nearly fulfilled. This positions Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) to dominate the U.S. snow crab supply for the remainder of the season, as it continues harvesting while Gulf operations wind down.
  • April 2025: The Northern California rock crab fishery reopened in April 2025 for the first time in a decade after state regulators confirmed the crabs are now safe to harvest. The fishery had been closed since 2015 due to a major domoic acid outbreak and prolonged lack of testing.
  • February 2025: Russia shipped its first-ever live king crab to Thailand, marking a strategic move to expand its footprint in Asian seafood markets. This initiative reflects Russia’s broader pivot toward Asia amid Western sanctions, aiming to diversify export destinations and boost premium seafood trade.

Table of Contents for Crab Industry Report

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Landscape

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Mainstream export demand from food-service rebound
    • 4.2.2 Growing appetite for premium king and snow crab
    • 4.2.3 Price premium for sustainably certified wild fisheries
    • 4.2.4 Accelerating shift toward aquaculture fattening
    • 4.2.5 Automation and AI adoption in processing facilities
    • 4.2.6 Cold-chain infrastructure upgrades
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Sanctions-driven trade-route volatility
    • 4.3.2 Climate-Driven Changes Disrupt Marine Life in Northern Seas
    • 4.3.3 Rising plant-based and imitation-crab penetration
    • 4.3.4 Increasing tariff uncertainty on processed crustaceans
  • 4.4 Value / Supply-Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Landscape
  • 4.6 Technological Outlook
  • 4.7 PESTLE Analysis

5. Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value and Volume)

  • 5.1 By Type
    • 5.1.1 Red King Crab
    • 5.1.2 Blue King Crab
    • 5.1.3 Opilio
    • 5.1.4 Tanner
    • 5.1.5 Other Types (Dungeness Crab, Gazami, etc.)
  • 5.2 By Geography
    • 5.2.1 North America
    • 5.2.1.1 United States
    • 5.2.1.2 Canada
    • 5.2.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.2.2 Europe
    • 5.2.2.1 France
    • 5.2.2.2 Belgium
    • 5.2.2.3 Germany
    • 5.2.2.4 Netherlands
    • 5.2.2.5 United Kingdom
    • 5.2.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.2.3.1 China
    • 5.2.3.2 Indonesia
    • 5.2.3.3 Philippines
    • 5.2.3.4 Vietnam
    • 5.2.3.5 India
    • 5.2.3.6 Japan
    • 5.2.3.7 Australia
    • 5.2.4 South America
    • 5.2.4.1 Argentina
    • 5.2.4.2 Brazil
    • 5.2.5 Middle East
    • 5.2.5.1 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.2.5.2 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.2.6 Africa
    • 5.2.6.1 South Africa

6. Competitive Landscape

  • 6.1 List of Key Stakeholders

7. Market Opportunities and Future Outlook

You Can Purchase Parts Of This Report. Check Out Prices For Specific Sections
Get Price Break-up Now

Global Crab Market Report Scope

A crab is a decapod crustacean with a hard shell; the meat of a crab is eaten as food.

The crab market is segmented into type (blue crab, Chinese mitten crab, gazami crab, and other types) and form (frozen, canned, and other forms). The market is also segmented by geography, covering more than 16 countries worldwide. The report offers market estimation and forecast in value (USD) and volume (metric tons).

By Type Red King Crab
Blue King Crab
Opilio
Tanner
Other Types (Dungeness Crab, Gazami, etc.)
By Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe France
Belgium
Germany
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Asia-Pacific China
Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
India
Japan
Australia
South America Argentina
Brazil
Middle East United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Africa South Africa
By Type
Red King Crab
Blue King Crab
Opilio
Tanner
Other Types (Dungeness Crab, Gazami, etc.)
By Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe France
Belgium
Germany
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Asia-Pacific China
Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
India
Japan
Australia
South America Argentina
Brazil
Middle East United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Africa South Africa
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now

Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the crab market?

The crab market stands at USD 13.04 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 16.17 billion by 2030.

Which region dominates crab sales?

Asia-Pacific commands 61.8% of global revenue, driven by China’s import demand and extensive processing capacity.

Which crab species leads the market?

Opilio snow crab holds the largest share at 17.5% in 2024 and is also the fastest-growing species at 5.3% CAGR.

How are sanctions affecting trade?

US restrictions on Russian seafood have cut direct imports by more than half, rerouting volumes to Asia and pressuring North American supply chains.

Page last updated on: June 24, 2025