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3-Minute Market Insight

EP 718 | AIRED 11/25/2024

Global Dungeness & Snow Crab Update: Season Delays, Scarce Supply, Seasonal Outlook

November 25th, 2024 - Here is a Dungeness and Snow Crab update as the holiday season approaches.

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Starting with Dungeness, tri-state fishery managers encompassing Washington, Oregon, and California have confirmed the Oregon fishery will be delayed until at least December 16th. This delay is to allow for additional testing of meat recovery rates and biotoxins. Washington usually opens with or shortly after Oregon, while California managers are deciding if southern areas will open in December.

For the past 3 years, the tri-state fisheries have consistently delayed season openings, with the majority being postponed until after the new year. Fishery managers will provide another update around mid-December on fishery opening dates. Washington state, Oregon, and California are significant contributors to the market, with annual yields per state ranging from 10 to 30 million pounds.

Global Dungeness & Snow Crab Update: Season Delays, Scarce Supply, Seasonal Outlook

In Alaska, the fall Dungeness crab season has now concluded for the year. Supply is extremely limited in that incoming offers are all presales. Preliminary harvest totals for Alaska Dungeness this year are estimated at approximately 4.1 million pounds, which is about 50% below the five-year average. However, a significant number of fish tickets likely remain uncounted, which could substantially impact the final totals.

Meanwhile in British Columbia, Canada, the Dungeness fishery remains open, but the pace of fishing during this season is much slower compared to the more productive summer months.

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Turning to Snow Crab, supply remains tight as the world’s largest fishery, located in Eastern Canada, will not resume operations until April. Last season, Canada harvested an impressive 100,000 metric tonnes. In Norway, the new snow crab season will begin on January 1st with an increased quota of 12,725 metric tonnes, up by 2,425 metric tonnes from the previous season.

Russia’s snow crab fishery, which operates year-round, is on track to meet its total allowable catch of nearly 47,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year. For the upcoming year, the quota is set to increase further, exceeding 50,000 metric tonnes.

Global Dungeness & Snow Crab Update: Season Delays, Scarce Supply, Seasonal Outlook

Our recommendation is to stay ahead, by planning ahead - secure your future Crab requirement now.

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