While the Dungeness fishery in British Columbia Canada remains the sole fishery with areas still open, supply of fresh and frozen inventories are said to be extremely low to nonexistent, and pricing is moving up fast. Frozen clusters can be seen as high as $14 per pound now, up from $11 in July and offers available on the open market are getting bought up almost immediately.

All fisheries along the West Coast landed less Dungeness compared to last year, with overall totals globally expected to be similar to that of 2022.



The summer season in British Columbia is usually when the Dungeness crab harvest peaks, but this year’s catch was notably slower, even compared to last year’s already smaller yield. Fishery managers advised that we’ve just completed a four-year period of peak harvest, which is part of the natural high-to-low abundance cycle that historically occurs in B.C. waters.

Although preliminary data for Alaska’s 2024 Dungeness crab fishery isn't yet available, fishermen report a poorer-than-expected harvest. Preseason estimates had already predicted a lower yield than 2023, and early indications suggest this year’s total will be even less. Alaska does have a limited fishery starting October, however catches will not have a significant impact on the market.

While Washington, Oregon, and California all saw smaller catches than last year, Oregon was able to achieve their highest nominal ex-vessel value for a season on record of about $93 million. Both volume and price per pound were on the higher end of the historical range, driving the record ex-vessel value.

On the international market front, it was reported by Crab veteran Les Hodges that imports of live Dungeness crab from the U.S. and Canada to China through June have declined by 11 percent to 9,700 metric tons, despite a nearly 10 percent increase in prices. Although this decrease contrasts with the strong performance of other crab species, the reduced supply likely played a significant role in this.



Our recommendation is to secure Dungeness offers as required, but to also put in your commitments for new season Dungeness. California could open their season as early as November depending on whale entanglement risk.

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