Buyers can be assured that seafood from Canada will continue to meet the increasingly rigorous safety and wholesomeness standards required by the world's major seafood markets. Markets Snow crab processors sell their products to retailers and foodservice operators in Canada and around the world. The amount of exported canned crab declined 60 per cent in 2000 as consumer demand for frozen meat and sections continued to rise. Canadian snow crab competes with opilio from Alaska, Greenland and Russia. In Japan, the market for frozen Canadian product has been particularly affected by Russian landings of fresh opilio and king crab directly into Japanese ports.
Most snow crab is consumed in restaurants, a sector vulnerable to economic fluctuations.
The spring 2001 banking crisis in Japan has resulted in more crab going into the U.S. market. Most of the crab harvested this year as well as remaining inventories from 2000 has been sold into the U.S., reducing wholesale prices and generally weakening the market. Any sign of an economic rebound will likely result in strengthening prices as consumers return to the restaurants that have made snow crab a popular dining choice in recent years. Supply Visit this site regularly to get updates during the harvesting season. The Canadian snow crab fishery operates under quotas set and administered by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.