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In Russia, there is a growing demand for snow crab, which is harvested in the Sea of Okhotsk by Russian fishermen, according to the All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises, Entrepreneurs, and Exporters (VARPE).
This trend is confirmed by "Tyhrybkom," the largest snow crab producer in Russia, producing about 800 tons of crab meat per year. In 2023, around 85% of the snow crab harvested in Russia was exported, but since the beginning of 2024, the situation has changed, and already about 30% of the production is supplied to the domestic market. Sales of snow crab meat in Russia have significantly increased in the last four months, reported an expert.
The All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises, Entrepreneurs, and Exporters clarifies that the annual global catch of snow crab is about 75 thousand tons, and Russian fishermen extract about 6.5 thousand tons, ranking fifth in the world market with a share of 10%. Similar to oysters, snow crab is a delicacy and has long enjoyed stable demand worldwide. However, its popularity in Russia has only recently started to rise.
In 2001, "Tyhrybkom" began supplying snow crab to the domestic market, but the volumes were small - around 100-200 kg. "We started presenting it at exhibitions, preparing various dishes from it," says the CEO of "Tyhrybkom Magadan Seafood" Vadim Ermolaev. "Restaurants began promoting it, chefs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and even Chelyabinsk learned how to cook it." Currently, snow crab consumption in the domestic market has reached 20 tons per month. "Today, approximately 300 restaurants in Russia use our snow crab. The market has grown by 70 times," Ermolaev says.
The increase in demand in the domestic market has contributed to the growth of supplies, especially in the restaurant sector. To create a culture of consuming the delicacy within the country, fishery companies actively worked with the culinary community. Currently, Russian companies offer a wide range of snow crab products that are becoming increasingly in demand both in retail and restaurants.
In Europe, snow crab is usually served in restaurants without extracting it from the shell. Large snow crabs from the Far East are used to prepare various dishes, including appetizers, salads, and hot dishes. Snow crab is easy to cook, hence its demand even in the premium retail segment, as explained by the association's president.
Another reason for the growing popularity of snow crab is its stable price in the last five years. The price in the domestic market is around 1350 rubles per kilogram. The cost is comparable to shrimp but still half the price of crab. The consistent catch of snow crab in Russia allows maintaining or even reducing prices. From the beginning of May 2023 to May 2024, the price of fresh-frozen and frozen snow crab decreased on average by 17% to 1221 rubles per kilogram.
Snow crab appeared on the Russian market two to three years ago and in regional restaurants about six months ago. It is tasty and still relatively affordable compared to other seafood, so restaurateurs are interested in developing dishes using it. For snow crab harvesters, the domestic market has become particularly attractive due to the reduction in exports. "Thus, the interests of producers and restaurateurs coincided in developing new dishes," says an expert.
Demand for snow crab is traditionally high in the Far East, where it is harvested, confirmed by the founder of restaurants. Restaurants have learned to cook snow crab deliciously and have been "introducing" guests to it for several years, leading to an increase in demand.
Analysts' forecasts point to an increase in population income in the coming years, opening up opportunities for increased sales of seafood both in retail and in restaurants and cafes. The premium seafood segment has a stable audience, so snow crab has great prospects in the domestic market, according to the VARPE president.
