China’s Russian Live Crab Imports Hit Record High in 2024, Up 17% to 35,000 MT
January 24, 2025
China’s imports of live crab from Russia in 2024 set a new record for the fifth consecutive year. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, the total quantity reached 35,108 metric tons (MT), an increase of 17 percent (5,000 MT) compared to the previous year.
The rise in imports is attributed to higher demand for live crabs over frozen ones, leading Russian producers to prioritize live crab exports to China. A Japanese trading company noted that both land and air transport for live crabs have increased, according to a report from Minato Shimbun.
Stable Prices and Market Trends
The average import price for live Russian crabs remained steady at $32.51 per kilogram. However, pricing varied depending on the type of crab and its processing method:
•Live red king crab and live blue king crab from the Russian Far East sold for $60 per kilogram in China.
•Frozen red king crab from the same region was priced lower at $46 per kilogram.
A Japanese trading company specializing in Russian crab exports revealed that blue king crabs were exclusively supplied live to China, while attempts to produce frozen blue king crab for the Japanese market failed due to high price demands from Russian producers, exceeding $70 per kilogram.
Impact on Japan’s Frozen Crab Supply
The shift toward live crab exports to China has led to a decline in frozen red king crab production for Japan. A Japanese trading company estimated that in 2024, frozen red king crab production would drop to 500-600 MT, compared to 950 MT in 2023.
Decline in Frozen Crab Imports to China
While live Russian crab imports surged, frozen crab imports to China saw a sharp decline. In 2024, frozen crab imports totaled 6,417 MT, a 40 percent decrease from the previous year.
In 2023, when prices were lower, Chinese importers purchased over 10,000 MT of frozen crab, leading to an oversupply that was gradually sold off throughout 2024. With reduced availability, the average import price for frozen crab rose 28 percent to $14.20 per kilogram.
The shift in trade patterns reflects China’s strong demand for live seafood and Russia’s strategic focus on supplying fresh, high-value products to meet market preferences.
Photo Credit: WhiteFo