Coastal aquaculture diversifies as crab farming gains export momentum

Crab farming is rapidly transforming the economic landscape of Bangladesh’s coastal belt, emerging as a promising source of foreign currency earnings. Thriving in saline waters, the sector has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with nearly 98 percent of the country’s crabs exported to markets including China, the United States, Australia, Japan, and parts of Europe.

According to industry data, crab exports reached Tk 867.88 crore in the current fiscal year almost a threefold increase compared to Tk 309 crore in 2020-21. This rapid expansion highlights the growing global demand for crabs, particularly soft-shell varieties, which fetch between Tk 800 and Tk 1,400 per kilogram in international markets.

Fisheries official GM Selim described crab farming as a highly promising sector that is gaining rapid popularity alongside shrimp cultivation. He noted that while training initiatives are underway, the lack of hatcheries remains a key challenge.

Additionally, a five-month annual ban on crab harvesting in the Sundarbans disrupts year-round production. Efforts are ongoing to explore government support mechanisms during this period, including coordination with the Forest Department.

For farmers like Alamgir Hossain from Koyra, crab farming has proven to be profitable. “I’ve been rearing crabs in cages for five to six years, and the returns are good,” he said, while pointing to water shortages and poor transport infrastructure as persistent challenges.

He added that private companies often collect crabs directly from designated river points, easing access to markets.

Although not widely consumed domestically, crabs are in high demand abroad, especially in premium hotels and restaurants. Their rising popularity has encouraged coastal farmers to diversify beyond shrimp cultivation, which has traditionally been the country’s leading seafood export.

The sector is also contributing to employment generation in coastal regions where job opportunities are limited. Notably, women are increasingly involved in crab farming, adding a new dimension to local livelihoods.

Currently, commercial crab farming is concentrated in five coastal zones, with Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira playing a central role in fattening and juvenile rearing.

However, industry stakeholders estimate that exportable crabs worth hundreds of crores remain underutilized due to infrastructural and logistical constraints.