King crab has three main species: red, blue, and golden. Of these three, red king crab is the largest and most commercially valuable. Red king crab are prized for their impressive size and delicious, sweet meat. Blue and golden king crab have a very similar taste, but red king crab remains the most popular. Red king crab is available in different size categories. You can purchase legs, clusters, whole king crabs.
Below, we’ll dive into the colossal size category for red king crab. We’ll also discuss the source of red king crab, its price, and where you can buy red colossal king crab for yourself. But, to start, here’s some basic pricing information and retailers who sell king crab.
| Company | Price/lb | Minimum Order | Shipping | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Seafoods | $35.00 | 5 lbs | $16.20 | |
| Crab Place | $42.29 | 1 lb | $29.95 | |
| Fulton Fish Market | $51.00 | 2 lbs | Free | |
| Seabear Smokehouse | $63.60 | 2.5 lb | $19.99 | |
| Cameron’s Seafood | $65.99 | 3 lbs | $39.99 |
What Is Colossal Red King Crab?
King crab legs fall into a size category based on a count system. The size is based on how many legs would make up 10 pounds. Claws are typically not included in this count even though they are often included in a crab leg bundle. Giant king crab legs average ½ to ¾ pounds per leg. Red colossal king crab legs are larger, weighing in at ¾ to 1 pound per leg. Depending on the supplier, there can be larger and smaller sizes than these ones. You might find super colossal, jumbo, or regular legs. The crab’s size depends on its age and molting process at the time fishers catch them.
Where Is Red King Crab Sourced?
Red colossal king crab thrive in the icy cold waters of the North Pacific. In the summertime, they spend most of their time in deeper waters to care for their eggs. Then, during the months of October to January, the king crab make their way to more shallow water. This is when fishers set their traps. According to NOAA Fisheries, the four stocks of red king crab are in Bristol Bay, Pribilof Islands, Norton Sound, and Western Aleutian Islands.
They do not indicate that red colossal king crab is overfished or at risk of a declining population. Generally, the environmental impact of fishing red king crab is low.
Red Colossal King Crab Price
Red king crab is certainly not cheap. Be prepared to pay a few hundred dollars the next time you want to buy king crab legs. Since colossal legs are larger than average options, they do cost even more. You can expect a pound of colossal king crab legs to cost around $66 per pound. This price does not include shipping costs. Many online suppliers offer bulk discounts and free shipping if you reach an order minimum.
A lot factors into the pricing of red colossal king crab. As many people have seen on shows like Deadliest Catch, crab fishing takes a lot of work that is often dangerous. The high amount of labor required to catch and provide king crab leads to a high price tag for the consumer. Another factor of the price is supply and demand. Crab fishing is a short season. Supply for the year is limited to what is caught during the active catching season. A limited supply and considerable demand equal pricey king crab.
Where to Buy Colossal Red King Crab
To find the best selection of red colossal king crab for sale, we recommend looking online. A simple Google search turns up many online seafood companies that provide king crab right to your door overnight. You might be able to find colossal king crabs in your grocery store. However, the quality is much better when you buy directly from online stores. Plus, you have the added advantage of being able to compare prices from several suppliers online.
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