Dungeness Crab Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

China paid the most for Dungeness crab in Q3 2026: USD 13.60/KG, down 0.9% from USD 13.72/KG in Q2. Import costs, shipping charges and steady demand from restaurants and hotels keep Chinese prices above the other three markets. Worldwide, the average fell 1.1% to USD 11.03/KG from USD 11.15/KG, mostly because larger landings on the Pacific coast and softer demand from restaurants led processors and importers to lower prices in all four markets. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 10.53-11.42/KG range, with landings, the opening of the winter season, fuel costs, demand from restaurants and exports to Asia doing most of the work.

Dungeness crab is a large crab caught with traps along the Pacific coast of North America, from California to Alaska. It is sold live, whole cooked, as sections and as picked meat, and is served in restaurants and sold in retail stores. Prices in this report refer to whole cooked Dungeness crab and are quoted per kilogram. They depend on landings, fuel costs and demand from restaurants and retailers.

The United States and Canada supply the market, with the largest catches off Oregon, Washington and California. Seasons open in the winter, and openings can be delayed by marine toxin tests or price talks between fishers and processors. Boats land live crab, and plants cook, section and freeze it. Exports go mainly to China and South Korea, so tariffs and exchange rates affect trade.

Dungeness Crab Price Forecast for 2026

Prices should ease slightly through the rest of 2026. Landings are larger and demand from restaurants is softer, but the start of the winter season and steady export orders limit the size of the decline. The Q3 2026 global average of USD 11.03/KG is 1.5% above the USD 10.87/KG of Q3 2025.

Risks to the Q4 outlook lean to the downside. What could push prices higher? Delayed season openings, lower landings or stronger export demand would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Larger landings, weaker demand from restaurants or lower export orders would lower prices.

For the Quarter Ending September 2026

Dungeness Crab Prices Q3 2026:

• Canada: USD 8.40/KG
• United States: USD 9.30/KG
• South Korea: USD 12.80/KG
• China: USD 13.60/KG

Dungeness Crab Prices in Canada

The Q3 2026 average for Canada stood at USD 8.40/KG, a decrease of 1.6% on the USD 8.54/KG recorded in Q2. Canadian prices fell as the landings of crab increased. Against the USD 8.26/KG recorded in Q3 2025, the current average represents a 1.7% increase. Canada finished Q3 2026 23.8% below the four-market average of USD 11.03/KG.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q3 2026 in Canada?

Canada declined. Landings of crab increased, processors lowered prices, and demand from export buyers was soft. From USD 8.36/KG at the close of 2025 to USD 8.40/KG in Q3 2026, the price in Canada has risen 0.5%, and the global average has risen 0.5%. The global average shifted 1.1% lower in the same quarter.

Dungeness Crab Prices in United States

The United States registered a 1.3% decrease in Q3 2026, taking the average to USD 9.30/KG from USD 9.42/KG in Q2. American prices fell as the landings of crab increased. The Q3 2025 average of USD 9.17/KG puts the current price 1.4% above its level a year earlier. The four markets averaged USD 11.03/KG in the quarter, so the price in the United States was 15.7% lower.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q3 2026 in United States?

The United States declined. Landings of crab increased, processors lowered offers, and demand from restaurants and retailers was soft. Across the first three quarters of 2026, the United States has moved up 0.4% from USD 9.26/KG in Q4 2025 to USD 9.30/KG, against a 0.5% gain for the global average. Across the four markets the average was 1.1% lower on the quarter.

Dungeness Crab Prices in South Korea

South Korea softened 1.1% to USD 12.80/KG in Q3 2026, from USD 12.94/KG in Q2. Korean prices eased as arrivals of crab increased. Year on year, the average is 1.4% higher, against USD 12.62/KG in Q3 2025. In comparison with the average of USD 11.03/KG across the four markets, the price in South Korea was 16.0% higher.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q3 2026 in South Korea?

South Korea eased. Arrivals of crab increased, importers lowered prices, and demand from restaurants was soft. Year to date, South Korea is 0.5% higher than the Q4 2025 level of USD 12.74/KG, while the global average is 0.5% higher. On the global measure the average was 1.1% lower over the quarter. This represents a quarter-on-quarter change of 1.1% for South Korea.

Dungeness Crab Prices in China

In Q3 2026, the average price in China fell 0.9% to USD 13.60/KG, compared with USD 13.72/KG in Q2. Chinese prices eased as arrivals of crab increased. The current level is 1.3% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 13.43/KG. China ended the quarter 23.3% above the group average of USD 11.03/KG.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q3 2026 in China?

China eased. Arrivals of crab increased, importers lowered offers, and demand from restaurants and hotels was soft. Over the first nine months of 2026 the price in China has risen by 0.5%, which compares with a 0.5% gain in the global average. For comparison, the global average moved 1.1% lower over the same quarter.

For the Quarter Ending June 2026

Dungeness Crab Prices Q2 2026:

• Canada: USD 8.54/KG
• United States: USD 9.42/KG
• South Korea: USD 12.94/KG
• China: USD 13.72/KG

Dungeness Crab Prices in Canada

In Q2 2026, the average price in Canada rose 1.2% to USD 8.54/KG, compared with USD 8.44/KG in Q1. Canadian prices rose as the demand from export buyers strengthened. The Q2 2026 average is 5.4% above the USD 8.10/KG recorded in Q2 2025. Relative to the four-market average of USD 11.15/KG, Canada traded 23.4% below in Q2 2026.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q2 2026 in Canada?

Canada rose. Demand from export buyers strengthened, fuel costs went up, and processors lifted prices. This followed a 1.0% gain in Q1 and left Canada 5.4% above its Q2 2025 average of USD 8.10/KG. The price then partly reversed in Q3, to USD 8.40/KG. For comparison, the global average moved 0.9% higher over the same quarter.

Dungeness Crab Prices in United States

The United States' average moved up 1.0% in Q2 2026, to USD 9.42/KG from USD 9.33/KG in Q1. American prices rose as the demand from restaurants strengthened. Compared with Q2 2025, when the United States averaged USD 9.02/KG, the current price is 4.4% higher. This places the United States 15.5% below the four-market average of USD 11.15/KG for Q2 2026.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q2 2026 in United States?

The United States rose. Demand from restaurants strengthened, labor costs went up, and processors lifted offers. After a 0.8% gain in Q1, the quarter closed 4.4% above the USD 9.02/KG recorded in Q2 2025. Part of the move was reversed in Q3, leaving the price at USD 9.30/KG. The global average shifted 0.9% higher in the same quarter.

Dungeness Crab Prices in South Korea

Prices in South Korea firmed 0.9% in Q2 2026 to USD 12.94/KG, compared with USD 12.83/KG in Q1. Korean prices rose as the demand from restaurants strengthened. Measured against Q2 2025, when the average stood at USD 12.42/KG, the market is 4.2% higher. Against the four-market average of USD 11.15/KG, South Korea stood 16.1% above in the quarter.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q2 2026 in South Korea?

South Korea rose. Demand from restaurants strengthened, import costs went up, and importers lifted prices. This came on top of a 0.7% gain in Q1, and the average ended 4.2% above its level of a year earlier, when it stood at USD 12.42/KG. Q3 reversed some of the change, with the price at USD 12.80/KG.

Dungeness Crab Prices in China

China recorded a 0.8% gain in Q2 2026, with the average reaching USD 13.72/KG against USD 13.61/KG in Q1. Chinese prices rose as the demand from restaurants strengthened. In Q2 2025 the average was USD 13.28/KG, so the market is 3.3% higher on a yearly basis. China finished Q2 2026 23.0% above the four-market average of USD 11.15/KG.

Why did the price of Dungeness Crab change in Q2 2026 in China?

China rose. Demand from restaurants strengthened, import costs went up, and importers lifted offers. Q1 had brought a 0.6% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 3.3% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 13.28/KG. The price then partly reversed in Q3, to USD 13.60/KG. On the global measure the average was 0.9% higher over the quarter.

Quarterly Dungeness Crab Price Trends

Dungeness Crab prices rose through 2025 and the first half of 2026 before easing in the third quarter in all four markets. The global average moved from USD 10.56/KG in Q1 2025 to 10.71 in Q2, 10.87 in Q3 and 10.97 in Q4, then 11.05 in Q1 2026, 11.15 in Q2 and 11.03 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 4.5% across the window. Higher fuel costs and steady demand from restaurants and importers lifted prices for five quarters, and larger landings caused a decline in the third quarter.

What was Dungeness Crab Price in 2025?

2025 was a year of gradual increases for Dungeness crab, with prices rising in each quarter in all four markets. Starting near USD 10.56/KG in Q1, the global average finished the year at 10.97 in Q4, a gain of about 3.9%. Higher fuel costs and steady demand from restaurants and importers supported processors throughout the year.

Dungeness Crab Prices in Canada in 2025

In Canada, prices moved from about USD 7.96/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 8.36/KG by Q4, up roughly 5.0%. Canadian prices rose gradually as fuel costs and demand from export buyers increased. At USD 8.40/KG in Q3 2026, Canada stands 0.5% above its Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.

Dungeness Crab Prices in United States in 2025

In the United States, prices moved from about USD 8.90/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 9.26/KG by Q4, up roughly 4.0%. American prices rose gradually as the labor costs and demand from restaurants increased. The Q4 2025 close of USD 9.26/KG compares with USD 9.30/KG in Q3 2026, a 0.4% increase. The quarterly sections above show how the annual average developed over the year.

Dungeness Crab Prices in South Korea in 2025

In South Korea, prices moved from about USD 12.25/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 12.74/KG by Q4, up roughly 4.0%. Korean prices rose gradually as import costs and demand from restaurants increased. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in South Korea is 0.5% higher at USD 12.80/KG. The quarterly breakdown above allows each stage of that path to be traced.

Dungeness Crab Prices in China in 2025

In China, prices moved from about USD 13.14/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 13.53/KG by Q4, up roughly 3.0%. Chinese prices rose gradually as import costs and demand from restaurants increased. By Q3 2026 the average for China had reached USD 13.60/KG, 0.5% above the Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.

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Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Dungeness Crab Price Intelligence

We keep a continuous eye on Dungeness crab prices wherever it is produced or consumed at scale, tracing causation through landings, season openings, marine toxin tests, fuel costs and demand from restaurants and importers. Our forecasts draw on production data, trade flows, input cost trends and demand indicators across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.