A record-breaking snow crab sold for a whopping $46,000 at an auction in Tottori, Japan in November 2019. The crab weighed 2.7 pounds and was nicknamed “five shining star.” Its price was determined not by size, or quality, but rather the timing of the sale. In Japan, it is a symbol of wealth and status to buy the first and best crab on the crab fishing season’s first day.
That particular snow crab is a standout because snow crab is usually far less expensive than king crab. Snow crab tends to have a more fibrous texture, and its flavor is a bit brinier than king crab. However, their catch season can last for months, and snow crab populations are responsibly fished and managed, making snow crab legs more widely available and accessible financially.
Ten pounds of snow crab legs sells for about $200 with most online seafood retailers, while ten pounds king crab legs typically goes for upwards of $500. Snow crab legs are the cheaper option, and they also might present a more enticing option for environmentally conscious consumers due to their heavy management.
Associated Costs of King Crab Legs
King crab typically yields the most expensive crab legs because of its brief harvesting season, limited availability, and quality flavor. Some compare the flavor of king crab to the flavor of lobster, which elevates its allure. The quality difference between king crab and other types of crab makes it an obvious top choice and increases its price.
King crab quotas are intentionally imposed in order to keep catch numbers low. The limited quantity of king crab inflates prices and keeps the lower quota numbers financially viable for fisheries. These systems prevent overfishing and protect vulnerable king crab populations, but they also create the economic conditions that make king crab legs the most expensive crab legs.
Fishing for king crab is incredibly dangerous, as the crabs themselves are enormous and require the fishers to operate heavy machinery in, oftentimes, adverse weather conditions. King crab legs might be the most expensive crab legs because the associated dangers of fishing for king crab drives up their price.
Most Expensive Crab Legs Sold Online
Searching for the most expensive crab legs will likely lead customers to king crab legs of extremely high quality. All prices refer to colossal-sized king crab legs. We’ll include a comparison grid below, then follow up with calculations closer to what you should expect to spend.
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