Understanding the Cost of Crab Meat: Why It's Priced Higher Than Other Seafood (2024)

FAQs

Understanding the Cost of Crab Meat: Why It's Priced Higher Than Other Seafood? ›

One of the main reasons why crab meat is expensive is due to the high cost of catching and processing the crabs. Crabbing is a labor-intensive process that requires skilled workers to operate specialized equipment such as crab traps and crab pots.

The Crab Supply Chain

Each player adds their own cost, often leading to increased crab prices. For example, because fuel and labor prices are up, fisherman have to spend more money to do their job. In turn, they have to charge more to meet their bottomline.

When it comes to price, king crab is generally more expensive than lobster. This is because king crab is more challenging to catch and harvest than lobster, and it's also less abundant. As a result, it's often considered a more luxurious and exclusive option than lobster.

Colossal lump crab (also known as mega jumbo or super jumbo) is the large chunks of meat that connect to the swimmer fins. There are only two of these muscles per crab, which is why it is so expensive (often $40 to $50 or more per pound). Jumbo lump crabmeat chunks are the same two muscles, just from smaller crabs.

The prices can vary between brands, retailers and even geographic location, but in general, you can expect to pay just over $3.00 per pound when buying boneless, skinless chicken breasts at your typical grocery store. That's about the same as Tilapia fillets, which tend to fall around $3.00 to $3.50 per pound.

The crisis first began in early 2022, after biologists discovered an estimated 10 billion crabs disappeared — a 90% plunge in the population.

Global seafood consumption has risen significantly in recent years. In the U.S. alone, we eat 102 billion dollars' worth annually. But as demand increases, so too have the costs of bait, fuel and labor. “These are nuances that consumers don't really hear about unless they talk to the fishmonger,” Wong says.

The taste of crabs is considered to be a little sweeter than that of lobster. It also has a natural brininess. In addition, crab meat might taste a little flakier. Crabmeat comes packed with lots of nutrients, including Vitamin B-12 and Omega-3 fatty acids.

However, when it comes to which one is healthier, it depends on your specific health goals. If you are looking to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, crab is the better choice. If you are looking for a seafood option that is rich in vitamin E, zinc, and copper, then lobster is the better choice.

Crab, like most seafood, is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein. Together, these vitamins and minerals help decrease cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. They also help to lower your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.

What is the best crab meat to eat? ›

Dungeness crab is one of the best crabs to eat since it has large, meaty legs like King crab. The sweet, flaky meat inside one whole crab can serve two people, making it the perfect meal for a romantic dinner with your significant other.

Can I freeze pasteurized canned crab? If you'd like to freeze your pasteurized crab, we recommend removing the meat from the can and storing in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag.

Claw crab meat comes from the claws of the crab. It is darker than lump and backfin meat, and it also tends to be less sweet. It often has a stronger flavor overall, and this makes it a good choice in appetizers or soups where you want the crab flavor to hold its own with other flavors.

Making the “do not eat” list are King Mackerel, Shark, Swordfish and Tilefish. All fish advisories due to increased mercury levels should be taken seriously. This is especially important for vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and older adults.

The Cost of Catching and Processing Crab Meat. One of the main reasons why crab meat is expensive is due to the high cost of catching and processing the crabs. Crabbing is a labor-intensive process that requires skilled workers to operate specialized equipment such as crab traps and crab pots.

Healthiest: Skinless Turkey Meat

An excellent source of niacin and vitamin B6, skinless turkey, is one of the best lean proteins to add to your meals. The nutrients found in skinless turkey meat can help support heart health, energy levels, brain function, digestion, and other bodily processes.

This year's quota for Alaska's Bristol Bay commercial red king crab season was smaller than usual, but fishermen are reaping the reward of high demand in the lead-up to the holidays. More than 99 percent of the 2.1-milllion-pound quota has already been caught by 31 vessels, according to KUCB.

Strong demand and fewer local crabs mean more imports and "everybody's going to pay more.” Fewer crabs, higher prices, not great! Photograph by Jay Fleming. A report released Thursday by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation highlights the looming threats facing the region's blue crabs.

The Times-Standard reports that California crabs are fetching a starting price of just $3 per pound, which is lower than what crab processors in Oregon are paying.