Growth in supplies of Russian crab products to Asia-Pacific markets in 2023

Industry Economic

May 15th, 2024

Due to the successful reorientation to the market of Asia-Pacific countries in the context of sanctions restrictions, the export of crab products from Russia is growing, an analysis of the Fishery Shipowners Association (FSA) showed. In 2023, the export of Russian crabs amounted to 85.6 thousand tons, which is 18.7% higher than the level of 2022, when a decrease in exports was noted due to sanctions. Compared to pre-sanction 2021, the growth was 14.1% (taking into account carryover balances of products from the previous period).

According to customs statistics of Asia-Pacific countries, the volume of crab supplies from Russia from 2021 to 2023 increased by 2.1 times. In 2023, Asia-Pacific countries accounted for 98% of all crab exports from Russia, while in 2021 the figure was 54%. China remains the leader with a volume of imports of 40.9 thousand tons of Russian crab products - about half of the total volume of crab exports from Russia. Over two years, supplies of Russian crab to China have increased 2.5 times. According to Chinese statistics, the Russian Federation’s share in the import of live crab has not fallen below 65% since 2021.