CRAB FEAVER

Kamchatka crab. Draft estimation of total frozen product export for Japan. In 1991 export of frozen Kamchatka crab was 2.970 tons. In 1992 it increased up to 5.147 tons. In 1993 it made up to 8.886 tons. In 1996 as Kamchatka crab catching was prohibited in Alaska, Russia exported more than 18.766 tons. At that period prices for crab went up and in October

Russian export made 2.599 tons, in November--3.216 tons, in December--4.388 tons. For the last 3 months of 1994 ,10.203 tons of crab were exported from Russia. In January--June 1995 the export volume of Russian crab was kept high. Wholesale prices for Russian products on Japanese market will go up due to possible decrease of volume, compared to 1994. Wholesale import price for good quality Kamchatka crab grade L in the middle of November 1995, was 1.650--1.600 yen per kilogram, but for crab of low quality--1.500 yen per kilogram. From September to early November 1995 the price raised up for 100 yen. But in comparison with the same period of 1994 it went down for more than 800 yen. In November--December 1994 the price for crab reached its peak. For crab 2L it made 2.600 yen per kilogram; L--2.400 Yen per kilogram; M--2.300--2.200 yen per kilogram.

According to importers, the lowest price for Russian Kamchatka crab was in June 1995 and then with the growth of demand it started to rise. Demand for Russian product is expected to become stabilized by the end of 1995.