Crab is one of the most prized and expensive seafoods, known for its sweet, succulent meat and iconic shell. But with so many different types of crab on the market, how much does crab actually cost for the average consumer?
In this comprehensive guide we’ll take a deep dive into crab prices per pound for popular varieties like snow crab, king crab Dungeness crab, blue crab, and stone crab. We’ll also explore what contributes to the costs of crab, from seasonal supply and demand to harvesting and processing methods.
Whether you’re planning a crab feast or just curious about your favorite crustacean, read on to learn all about how much crab costs and what goes into setting those prices.
Popular Types of Crab and Their Typical Costs
Snow Crab
Snow crab is one of the most affordable and abundant types of crab. Snow crab legs usually cost $8 to $15 per pound on average when buying clusters. Premium snow crab like Jumbo Alaskan can range from $15 to $25 per pound.
Snow crab is sold by the cluster (about 1 pound) or in multi-pound bulk packs. Many vendors offer deals for buying 3, 5 or 10 pound packages to save on costs.
King Crab
The king of crabs commands premium pricing due to its size, limited supply, and supremely sweet flavor Expect to pay $30 to $60 per pound for quality red king crab legs Legs can weigh up to 2 pounds each.
Colossal king crab legs typically sell for $67.99 to $100 per pound due to their jumbo size with legs over 10 inches. Buy king crab in 1, 5 or 10 pound quantities for best value.
Dungeness Crab
A Pacific coast favorite, fresh Dungeness crab costs around $15 to $35 per pound on average. Prime season for Dungeness is winter through spring when they are heaviest.
Dungeness crab is best bought live or freshly cooked. Buying whole cooked crabs saves more compared to Dungeness crab meat.
Blue Crab
These iconic crabs from the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf Coast are a regional delicacy. Expect to pay around $20 to $40 per dozen for medium male blue crabs. Jumbo “heavy” crabs can cost up to $70 per dozen.
Female and soft shell blue crabs cost slightly less. Buying by the bushel can save on large orders. Chesapeake style blue crab cakes made from lump or jumbo lump meat run $12 to $18 per cake.
Stone Crab
Prized for their mammoth claws packed with sweet meat, fresh stone crab claws go for $25 to $40 per pound depending on size. Jumbo claws can cost up to $60 per pound.
Stone crab claws are sold by pound in multi-claw orders. They are harvested October 15 through May 15 so are in season fall through spring.
What Factors Affect Crab Prices?
From seasonality and availability to processing costs and global exports, many intersecting factors impact the retail and wholesale prices of crab. Here are some of the key considerations:
Limited Supply
Unlike farmed shrimp or finfish, crabs cannot be easily raised in captivity and are still caught exclusively in the wild. This limits total supply, especially for crabs like king crab and stone crab that occupy small geographic areas. Low supply combined with high demand equals higher prices per pound.
Harvesting and Processing
Manually catching crabs in traps or pots is labor intensive, dangerous work that adds to overhead costs passed onto consumers. Processing methods like cooking, picking, and freezing also add additional steps compared to selling live crabs.
Export Market
Over 70% of Alaska’s king crab harvest gets shipped to China, Japan, and other export markets where it fetches higher prices, reducing domestic supply. Overseas demand affects king and snow crab costs significantly.
Seasonal Availability
Crab is managed as a sustainable fishery with strict season openings and closures. Peak season is when fresh new shell crabs are heaviest and meat yields are highest. Prices dip when stocks need to replenish out of season.
Location and Shipping
Coastal crabs like Dungeness and blue crab cost less when bought directly from the source before shipping markup. Getting fresh king crab from Alaska or stone crab from Florida nationwide adds transportation costs.
Getting the Best Deal on Crab
While crab will always command a premium price, here are some tips for getting the most value:
- Buy in bulk – multi-pound volumes usually offer best savings
- Purchase direct from local crabbers during peak season
- Look for seasonal specials and pre-order deals
- Opt for frozen vs. live crabs to reduce shipping
- Consider whole crabs instead of picked crab meat
- Mix and match clusters for variety vs. all jumbo
With proper storage and handling, premium frozen crab can offer comparable quality, taste, and consistency to fresh crab. Vacuum-sealed king crab, snow crab, and other frozen legs and clusters bring gourmet seafood home at more accessible prices for average consumers.
The Takeaway on Crab Costs
Prices undoubtedly reflect crab’s status as one of the world’s most coveted seafood treats. But being an educated buyer, choosing sustainable sources, buying in bulk, and taking advantage of seasonal specials can help lower the cost of indulging in these delicious crustaceans.
From casual crab boils to special occasion meals, crab remains a worthwhile splurge for many. Now that you know what contributes to crab pricing and how to find the best values, you can crack into your crab feast without cracking the bank!
Sourced Straight from Sea to Table
Sourced through trusted experts and chosen for taste, texture and quality.
Flash frozen to lock in the fresh-off-the-dock taste.
Packaged with dry ice and shipped overnight directly to your door.
Simply thaw, prep, heat, and eat.
Alaskan king crab boasts a rich, natural sweetness and firm yet tender texture.
Each whole crab weighs approximately 3-4 lbs. While whole crabs are the star of any seafood feast, their meat can be eaten by itself or added to soups, stocks, or any other recipe that calls for crab meat.
After thawing your crab in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours, you can steam, grill, bake, or boil. Learn more here. (Please note: you may want to add time for heating a whole crab vs. crab legs). We suggest rinsing your crab in freshwater before and after thawing them.
All of our products will stay good in the freezer for several months. However, for the best taste and texture, we recommend enjoying them within 2-3 months.
All products are hand-weighed using a certified scale. We try to give you as many full legs as we can, but orders may also come with claws, knuckles, and other parts. Dry ice will be used to pack your order so that everything stays frozen until it gets to your door.
Both red and golden king crab boast 16g of protein, ~350mg of omega 3s, and 9. 8 mcg of vitamin B-12 per 3oz serving. Something went wrong, please contact us!.
Need It By Tomorrow? Order by 3:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Thursday for next day delivery! Plus, get free shipping on orders over $300.
- Wild-caught by trusted experts, Alaskan King Crab Co. brings the sea right to your doorstep. Our king crab is already cooked so that it still tastes like it was just caught. Learn more here.
- A whole red king crab is a great way to show your guests how much you care. Also, red king crab meat is full of healthy fats, vitamin B-12, and high-quality protein.
- Every order is put in a box with dry ice to keep it frozen on the way to your house.
- Our king crab is already cooked, so all you have to do is thaw, heat, and eat. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours). Then, simply steam, grill, bake, or boil. For a whole king crab, it will take a little longer to heat up than for crab legs alone.
- If you want to make your meal even better, dip your crab legs in melted butter with our AKC “Just Add Butter” Seafood Seasoning. Don’t forget to serve some of our favorite side dishes as well.
Worth Buying Jumbo CRABS!? COST per LB Jumbo VS Small
FAQ
How much is a pound of crab?
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Product
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Price
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Unit
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Frz Dungeness Crab Cooked
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$13.99
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lb.
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Handy Lump Crab Meat 1lb
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$24.99
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each
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Frozen Argentine King Crab Clusters
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$24.99
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lb.
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Frozen Alaskan King Crab Clusters
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$49.99
|
lb.
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