South Korea Crab Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Soft Shell Crab, Hard Shell Crab, King Crab, and Dungeness Crab), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets, Online Retail, Fish Markets, Specialty Stores), and South Korea Crab Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

South Korea Crab Market Insights Forecasts to 2035  

• The South Korea Crab Market size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.4% from 2025 to 2035  
• The South Korea Crab Market size is Expected to hold a significant Share by 2035 

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The South Korea Crab Market Size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2025 to 2035. The market is driven by strong domestic demand for seafood, particularly fresh and high-quality options, fueled by a cultural preference and increasing health consciousness.

Market Overview 

The South Korea crab market is growing rapidly, attributable to increasing seafood consumption as well as demand for high-value protein. Crabs have a number of favorable eating characteristics, such as taste and nutritional benefits, and they also have cultural importance as a source of food since they are considered a form of traditional cuisine. The expansion of online seafood platforms and cold chain logistics has greatly expanded crab availability across the country. Crab products, including the live and processed markets, are reflecting increasing consumer interest in ready-to-cook and value-added crab products.

Report Coverage 

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea crab market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea crab market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea crab market.  

Driving Factors

The growing demand for premium seafood dining and eating at home. As consumers enjoy rising income and are educated on healthy eating, crabs are finding their way onto more and more Korean plates. King crabs, particularly, are seen featured at premium restaurants and allowed into holiday feasts, and ready made crab products are being targeted at urban dwellers, dizzy with their busy lives. The rise of e-commerce seafood platforms has also contributed to increased overall crab consumption, with fresh and frozen crab now available across the provinces.

Restraining Factors 

The logistics of live crabs are expensive and necessitate precise temperature control. Lower income consumers' access to luxury crab species, such as king crab, is further restricted by their high pricing. It is difficult for domestic aquaculture to scale up the production of crab species that are in great demand.

Market Segmentation 

The South Korea crab market share is classified into type and distribution channel. 

• The king crab segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The South Korea crab market is segmented by type into soft shell crab, hard shell crab, king crab, and dungeness crab. Among these, the king crab segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental expansion can be attributed to its widespread use in upscale and celebratory dining experiences and its reputation as a luxury seafood item. Because of its sweet taste and substantial meat quantities, it is a popular option among customers despite its high price.

• The online retail segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The South Korea crab market is segmented by distribution channel into supermarkets, online retail, fish markets, and specialty stores. Among these, the online retail segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental expansion can be attributed due of their extensive global reach and robust cold chain capabilities. To meet the varied needs of its customers, major stores including E Mart, Homeplus, and Lotte provide both fresh and frozen crab varieties. Sales are increased through seasonal crab festivals, in-store seafood sections, and promotions.

Competitive Analysis: 

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea crab market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.  

List of Key Companies

• Seafood Sources
• AquaStar
• Blue Horizon Seafood
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation
• Nippon Suisan Kaisha 
• Others

Key Target Audience 

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment 

This study forecasts revenue at South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea crab market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

South Korea Crab Market, By Type

• Soft Shell Crab
• Hard Shell Crab
• King Crab
• Dungeness Crab

South Korea Crab Market, By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets
• Online Retail
• Fish Markets
• Specialty Stores