With its sweet, succulent meat and impressive claws king crab is one of the most prized seafood delicacies. But the premium taste comes at a premium price – king crab can cost over $100 for just a few pounds. So what is the going rate for king crab in 2024? Here’s a detailed look at current king crab prices and what impacts costs.
Average Cost Per Pound
King crab prices fluctuate yearly based on supply, demand, and other factors. Here are current average costs per pound:
- Red king crab – $79.99/lb for jumbo legs, $84.99/lb for colossal legs
- Golden king crab – $89.99/lb
- Blue king crab – $99.99/lb
- Snow crab – $36.95/lb
Expect to pay more when purchasing king crab at restaurants seafood markets or retail outlets. Direct from the supplier prices in Alaska are generally cheaper.
For perspective, a typical 1.5 lb serving of red king crab legs at a restaurant may cost $50 or more. The same amount sourced directly from Alaska would be around $120.
What Impacts the Price of King Crab?
Several key factors affect the retail and wholesale prices set for king crab each year:
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Limited supply – Strict fishing quotas constrain how many crabs can be sustainably harvested. Limited inventory leads to higher prices.
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High demand – From white tablecloth restaurants to backyard grilling, king crab is extremely popular. High demand increases costs.
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Export market – Much of the king crab caught gets shipped to Asia where it fetches top dollar. This reduces supply available domestically.
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Harvesting expenses – The specialized labor, equipment, licenses, and transportation required to catch king crab is very expensive and risky. These high costs factor into pricing.
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Processing – Once caught, significant processing is needed to cook, freeze, package and ship king crab. These additional costs add to the retail price.
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Alaska regulations – Strict crabbing rules and quotas in Alaska further limit supply levels, making this premium crab more valuable.
Buying King Crab in Bulk
One way to secure king crab for less per pound is by purchasing bulk orders directly from reputable Alaskan suppliers like Tanner’s Seafoods. Their seasonal deals on large quantities can lower the per pound price.
For example, a 10 lb case of jumbo red king crab legs from Tanner’s costs $610 – just $61 per pound. Buying individually, the per pound price is $79.99. That’s over $18 in savings per pound when buying bulk!
Even smaller bulk orders of 5 lbs or more can net significant per pound savings versus buying king crab legs individually. Splitting bulk orders with family or friends is a great way to enjoy the savings.
Is King Crab Worth the High Price in 2024?
While king crab will remain a premium seafood with a premium price tag in 2024, many fans happily pay for the sweet flavor, large portions, and beautiful presentation. For special occasions and indulgent meals, king crab can be worth the splurge.
However, it’s smart to account for the notoriously high price per pound when budgeting for king crab. Seeking out Alaska suppliers for bulk orders can trim some costs. But quality is also critical – paying extra for wild-caught, sustainable king crab is key.
With savvy shopping and creative cooking, you can enjoy succulent king crab in 2024 without totally breaking the bank. Just brace yourself for some sticker shock and enjoy this rare treat in moderation.
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.
After thawing your crab legs in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours, you can steam, grill, bake, or boil. Learn more here. We suggest rinsing your crab legs in freshwater before and after thawing them. You can also heat your king crab legs straight from the freezer; just give them more time to cook in either way.
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 king crab and golden king crab have a sweet, rich, and luxurious flavor profile. Golden king crab is a slightly smaller species caught at deeper depths. As a result, their legs are more likely to sting than those of red king crabs, so you should use good shears.
The exact amount of meat in each crab leg will vary slightly. We suggest ordering 1 to 2 pounds of seafood per person, but it depends on how hungry you are and what else is in your seafood feast.
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.
Save money by saving between 5% and 15% on our subscription deals and enjoy the convenience of a freezer that is always stocked.
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- 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 lot of good protein, vitamin B-12, and omega-3s can be found in Alaskan golden king crab meat. Even though they are a bit smaller and a little sweeter than red king crab legs, golden king crab legs are still a treat.
- 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.
- 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.
We Tried $180 Alaskan King Crab Legs To See If They’re Worth The Money
FAQ
Why king crab is so expensive?
How much is king crab at Costco?
Is king crab more expensive than lobster?
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
|
lb.
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Frozen Alaskan King Crab Clusters
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$49.99
|
lb.
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What is a red king crab?
Red king crab are the largest of the commercially harvested crab species, and their meat is prized as a delicacy. The department’s decision to allow a small harvest, announced on Oct. 6, was based on preseason surveys by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
How much does a king crab cost?
Availability: In Season Buy online live king crab from FARM-2-MARKET. Starting at $475.00 for 8-10lbs. Shipped directly from live tanks.
How much do Alaskan king crab legs weigh?
The Average Alaskan King Crab Leg On average, Alaskan king crab legs weigh anywhere from a half pound to two pounds per leg. That’s a pretty big difference! The first thing to note is that there’s a difference between size and weight when it comes to Alaskan king crab legs.
How much does a king crab weigh?
The King Crab is the granddaddy of ’em all, often weighing up to 20 pounds. Shipped directly from live tanks, the legs and claws of a ten pounder yield 2 1/2 pounds of delightful coral streaked crabmeat. The harvest of this scarce crab is carefully managed to preserve the natural resource. Frozen King Crab Legs are a treat.