King crab legs that you buy, either in the grocery store or from online seafood suppliers, are most likely sourced from the North Pacific. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game notes that the majority of king crab inhabit the Bering Sea. While some do live along the coast of Japan, the place to be for crab fishing is the heart of the North Pacific. The concentration of the very popular king crab in this area makes for a lively market. The competing fishers sell their catch of North Pacific king crab legs for equally competitive prices. To give you a better perspective on pricing, we will provide information about hw much you should expect the spend. Whether you’re buying 1 lb of king crab or a 15 pound king crab, you should know what to budget for.
To start, we’ll give you a range of retailers and prices to consider. Check the comparison grid below to see several crab options.
The True Cost for North Pacific King Crab Legs
There are two different prices for king crab legs: the wholesale and the retail price. The wholesale price of crab legs is much lower than the retail price consumers pay. The wholesale pricing reflects the amount of labor it takes to catch the crab. The seafood companies then charge the higher retail price to make a profit. Whether you’re buying 1 pound king crab, a 10 lb Alaskan king crab, or a 15 lb king crab, you’re likely paying an upcharge.
Data from the 2016 king crab season indicates the true price per 1 lb king crab to be $10. The price that consumers paid for the same amount fell anywhere from $50 to $70 per pound. The same goes for 10 lb king crab. There is no denying that king crab is expensive, but we think it’s worth the price. North pacific king crab legs are a prized specialty item. King crab fisheries only stay viable if they make enough money to support their operations. If king crab were more widely available, you could expect the price to be lower. However, that is not the case. Buyers can still find good deals on crab, whether you need one pound of Alaskan king crab or a 9 pound king crab, by buying in bulk and paying attention to shipping discounts.
Free Shipping and Discounts on King Crab
Shipping costs can vary depending on the seafood supplier. For example, Cameron’s Seafood provides a shipping chart to help buyers determine how much they can expect to pay for shipping. They offer free ground shipping to any state if you order more than $199 worth of seafood. Alaskan King Crab Co. offers free next-day shipping for orders over $200 or for king crab orders over 4lbs. You can expect to always find a free shipping offer with some order minimums. Without the discount, shipping can cost at least $25, if not more. It is often a better deal to buy more to get the free shipping.
North pacific king crab legs bought in bulk will save you a few dollars per pound. This adds up if you plan on buying a lot of crab at once. The benefit of buying a lot of crab legs at once is that they freeze and thaw very well. Placing one, big order is more convenient than placing several throughout the year. Plus, you can place your order during the active king crab season to get the freshest seafood available.
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