How Do Crab Legs and Deshelled Crab Legs Prices Change Per Pound?

When it comes to purchasing crab legs, the forces that influence seafood pricing are numerous. Prices can change based on current events, such as the coronavirus pandemic. Small quotas also determine prices for crab legs, whether you’re buying 2 pounds of crab legs, 10 lbs of crab legs, or trying to figure out how many pounds of crab legs per person.

Ultimately, whether you’re in the market for purchasing 1 lb of crab legs or 10 pounds of crab legs, it’s important to know the price to expect so you’re not surprised after arranging your dinner plans.

How Much Should 1 lb Pound Crab Legs Cost?

The statewide commercial shellfish fishery exvessel prices in Alaska fluctuate on a yearly basis. The prices also differ based on the type of crab. The average price per pound for red King Crab in 2019 was $11.77. The price increased from $9.27 in 2018. The average cost of golden King Crab in 2019 was $6.35. The price increased $0.36 from $5.99 per pound in 2018.

The average blue crab price per pound is less transparent. The last recorded data was $4.43 per pound in 2015, and the Alaskan blue King Crab population is presently too low to support commercial fishery. Therefore, if you want to get blue crab legs delivered to your home, fishers will catch the crab up and down the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.

One of the factors that influences the cost of crab legs is the dangerous nature of catching crab. The television series, “Deadliest Catch” popularized the dangers of commercial fishing. The crab supply is another influence on the cost of 1 lb of crab legs. Commercial fishers have strict limitations on where they can fish. There are sustainability and harvesting regulations in place so that Red King crab cannot be fished in the Pribilof Islands and the Western Aleutian Islands.

Additionally, despite Bristol Bay and Norton Sound stocks maintaining recommended levels, the quotas influence the prices. The quotas that regulate the supply of crab caught is another consideration, as well as the distance the crab travels before arriving in restaurants.

Finally, you must consider the effect that current events can have on seafood prices, including one pound of crab legs. The demand for seafood amidst the coronavirus pandemic was low. Nearly 75% of seafood that people in the U.S. consume is sold by restaurants. Since people were not going to restaurants, fishers were not going out in their boats.

Once businesses began reopening in the summer and there was an increased demand, the supply began attempting to catch up and the result is an increased price for 1 lb of crab legs.

What Are the Different Crab Prices Per Pound?

Before buying crab, it helps to know what you’re up against price-wise. For 2 lbs of crab legs from Lobster Gram on Amazon, it costs $145.99. Similarly, the cost of giant Red King crab for 3 lbs of crab legs is $199.99. If you want 4 lbs of crab legs, Lobster Gram sells legs for $265.98, plus free shipping.

It’s important to shop around before buying from a company. The brand Robert Wholey & Co. sells 5 pounds of crab legs through Amazon for $240. If you’re thinking of buying more than 1 lb of crab legs and plan to host a dinner party with 10 lb crab legs, you can purchase colossal legs on Amazon for $429, plus $29.99 for shipping.

Another consideration is whether the company you order from sells crab legs deshelled. Maine Lobster Now offers the option for 8 ounces of crab meat. It is yet another important comparison note when determining where to purchase crab legs.

If you’re trying to figure out whether to buy 1.5 lbs of crab legs or 4 pounds of crab legs, consider the price grid below. This should help you perform a cost comparison.

Snow Crab Prices

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