Taste for crab growing

Once primarily confined to the export basket, crabs have been seeing a gradual rise in demand from the local customers largely thanks to a changing taste and a rise in per capita income.

Crabs have found their way into buffet, five-star hotels’ menus, restaurants catering to foreigners and even in general households over the years.

A 2019 study of LightCastle found that crab’s demand has been increasing locally with the rise of the middle and affluent class population, which is projected to quadruple to 37 million in 2021. Currently, over 110 restaurants in Dhaka sell crab based dishes.

This is projected to be a key driver of demand for mud crabs in Bangladesh over the medium term. “Certain groups of people once consumed crabs but now, people from across the country eat them,” said Sanjida Sharmin, owner of Food Network Agro.

The demand for soft-shell crabs in the local market is going up. “We can sell half a ton of soft-shell crabs per month,” she said, adding that they plan to open at least four outlets in the capital soon.

Sabbir Ahamed, owner of online shop Ianvelly, said, “People’s attitude towards crab as a dish has changed. Usually, we sell at least 300kg crab a year, but last month, we sold 400-500kg.

“Currently, there are three types of crabs available in the market including marine, river and farming crabs. The marine and river varieties – weighing around 500 grams each – fall under Category A. This variety is mostly exported and the price is between TK 1,400 to 1,500 per kg.

“The medium and small falls under the B, C and D category, and prices range from Tk 600 to Tk 1,000 per kg. Farmed crabs are sold for around Tk 400 to Tk 500 per kg.”

Local entrepreneurs are utilising the growing popularity and coming up with crab based food items.

Abu Aiub Talukder Ratul, branch manager of The Cafe Rio at Jigatola branch, said, “Crab is one of our most popular dishes. Every day we need at least 10kg crab.”

Another restaurant in Dhaka, Crab & Co makes three crab dishes, burgers, tortilla wraps and nuggets, and makes Tk 5,000 – Tk 6,000 in sales daily. Ahasan Dipu, general manager of the establishment said they would introduce new crab items soon.

Shaokao Wu BBQ, a Chinese Restaurant, sells Crab BBQ. The larger piece is sold for Tk 180 each, and the smaller pieces are sold for Tk 120 to Tk 150 each. The owner Qazi Omi said, “We started the business very recently.

“Every day consumers come here to enjoy crabs and even order takeout. I receive at least 10-15 orders for crab items every day.”

Dr Md Monirul Islam, chairman of Dhaka University’s fisheries department, said people need to consume marine fish for health benefits. Crabs are rich in nutrients that play vital roles in improving health.

Export market

Crab is recognised as one of the important export commodities in Bangladesh. After shrimp, it is now the second-most exported crustacean here. Export Promotion Bureau data shows that the country exported frozen crabs worth $12.38 million to more than 20 countries in FY21.

Greater Khulna, Chattogram and Barishal regions have become a hub for crab farming and fishing to take advantage of the high prices in the global market. Department of Fisheries data shows that Bangladesh produced 12,562 tonnes of crabs in FY20 in around 9,535 hectares of enclosures.

The Khulna region is the largest producer of crabs, followed by Chattogram and Barishal. Over the years, mud crab farming in the southwest of Bangladesh has witnessed a sharp rise, as more and more farmers are finding it lucrative to rear crabs.

Department of Fisheries data says there are 15 species of crabs available in Bangladesh. Among them, four are from fresh water and 11 from saline water. Mud crab is the most commercially important species in the country, followed by soft-shell crab.

Crabs are farmed in enclosures in the saltwater of coastal areas, similarly to the shrimp farms.

Mamunur Rashid, a soft shell crab farmer from Shyamnagar under Satkhira, said, “The crab growing season usually starts in September and ends in February, while the trading season begins at the end of June and March.

“Nearly 90 per cent of the crabs are caught during peak season of August, September and October, and 10 percent during the off-peak season of February, March, and April.”

Farmers used to collect crablets from natural sources causing a diverse impact on the environment. But Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) later developed a process to produce crablets under laboratory conditions.

The institute then handed over this method to the fisheries department. “Now crablets will be produced in the government hatcheries,” said Director General Dr Yahia Mahmud of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute.

Demand creating employment

The rising demand for crabs has also created jobs for many, including women.

According to LightCastle, as of 2009, mud crab fishery supported the livelihood of more than 50,000 fishers, traders, brokers, transporters and exporters in Bangladesh and the number increased to about 3,00,000 households in 2015.

Nahida Sultana, an entrepreneur from Noakhali, said that she supplies 80 cooked food items in Dhaka, Chattogram, Feni and Noakhali. Crab is the most popular of her dishes.

Sadia Yeasmin, an entrepreneur from Dhaka, had failed to find a job after graduation. She currently supplies homemade food in the capital. “The cooked crab item has high demand. It is one of the most popular items on the menu,” she said.

Farmers switching to crab farming

Bangladesh’s geography and climate make it suitable for crab farming. Data from the Department of Fisheries show that the country produced 12,562 metric tonnes of crabs in FY20 on 9,535 hectares.

LightCastle says optimal salinity and temperature conditions have made mud crab farming easier in the country’s coastal districts. Mud crabs are less susceptible to disease and more resistant to adverse environmental conditions and climate change effects, prompting many shrimp farmers to switch to mud crab farming.

Crab farmer Mamunur Rashid said that he left shrimp farming because of disease and low profit.

“I am farming crab in two bighas and earn around Tk 10 lakh annually. We had to depend on exports in the past but the situation has changed. We can sell our produce in the domestic market,” he said.