King Crab Trade Drops as Seasonal Fishing Ban Begins
Fresh Red King Crab landings in Norway have fallen sharply following the start of the seasonal closure in the quota-regulated fishing area.
The ban on harvesting king crab in regulated waters runs from 1 March to 31 May 2026, a measure that traditionally reduces market supply during the spring months.
At the start of the closure period, total landings reached 319 tonnes with a total value of NOK 155 million. At approximate exchange rates seen last week, this equates to roughly €13.2 million or £11.3 million.
For comparison, during the same period last year, 510 tonnes were landed with a value of NOK 250 million, approximately €21.3 million or £18.2 million, highlighting the scale of the decline.
Limited Fishing Continues Outside Quota Area
Fishing activity has continued outside the quota-regulated zone.
During week 15, sales of fresh king crab reached 50 tonnes with a total value of NOK 7.5 million, roughly €640,000 or £545,000.
This represents an increase from the previous week, when 39 tonnes were landed with a value of NOK 5.5 million, or about €470,000 (£400,000).
Even so, the seasonal closure means overall market availability of fresh king crab is expected to remain significantly lower until the ban is lifted at the end of May.
Snow Crab Deliveries Rise in Week 15
Landings of Snow Crab increased during week 15, with a total of 257 tonnes delivered.
Of this volume, 93 tonnes were fresh crab (round weight) supplied by five vessels, while a further 164 tonnes consisted of frozen glazed claws (product weight) delivered by four vessels. Some vessels supplied both product types, bringing the total number of unique vessels involved to seven.
This represented an increase from the previous week when 188 tonnes were landed, including 166 tonnes of fresh crab and 22 tonnes of frozen claws.
Fresh Snow Crab Sales Value Drops
The entire volume of 93 tonnes of fresh snow crab landed during week 15 was sold at the point of landing.
Total value reached NOK 6.3 million, approximately €540,000 or £455,000, with an average price of NOK 67.16 per kilogram — roughly €5.70 or £4.90 per kg.
This was a clear drop from the previous week, when 166 tonnes of fresh snow crab generated NOK 12.6 million (€1.07 million / £920,000).
Year-To-Date Snow Crab Landings Remain Higher
Despite the week-to-week decline, year-to-date figures remain significantly higher than last year.
By week 15, Norway had sold 3,644 tonnes of fresh snow crab with a total value of NOK 251 million — approximately €21.4 million or £18.3 million — and an average price of NOK 68.91 per kilogram (€5.90 / £5.00).
At the same point last year, landings reached just 1,089 tonnes with a value of NOK 91 million (€7.8 million / £6.6 million) and a higher average price of NOK 83.86 per kilogram (€7.10 / £6.10).
Frozen Snow Crab Claw Supply Continues to Decline
Deliveries of frozen glazed claws have continued but remain below last year’s levels.
So far in 2026, 3,361 tonnes of frozen claws (product weight) have been delivered. During the same period in 2025, the volume reached 4,862 tonnes.
Of the quantity delivered this year, 1,395 tonnes have been sold with a total value of NOK 250 million — about €21.3 million or £18.2 million.
During the same period last year, 2,174 tonnes of frozen product were sold for NOK 463 million (€39.5 million / £33.7 million).
Overall Snow Crab Value Slightly Down Year on Year
Total snow crab sales value so far in 2026 has reached NOK 501 million, equivalent to roughly €42.7 million or £36.5 million.
At the same point last year, the figure stood at NOK 555 million (€47.3 million / £40.4 million), indicating a moderate year-on-year decline despite higher volumes in the fresh segment.
