Blue Crabs Won't Be Ignored: Italy's Ecosystem Destroyer, Blue Crabs Now Used for Soy Sauce Marinated Crab in Korea

In Korea, there is currently a fervent buzz surrounding blue crabs. According to reports on September 9th, it's all thanks to Mr. Lee Kang-hee, the owner of an Incheon-based crab import company, who is in the process of connecting the Italian Chamber of Commerce and local partners. His plan is to import blue crabs caught in the Mediterranean Sea in Italy and primarily sell them for soy sauce marinated crab dishes in Korea.

 

This news is likely to excite those in Korea who enjoy soy sauce marinated crab, and if the import of Italian blue crabs does indeed take place, it will be interesting to see what changes occur in the Korean market.

 

Mr. Lee stated, "It takes about a month and a half until the containers arrive, so I expect Korean consumers to be able to taste Italian blue crabs within this year."

 

These blue crabs are primarily a species that used to inhabit the North Atlantic coast of North America but have been introduced to the Italian Mediterranean in recent years. However, they have recently been targeted for eradication due to causing significant damage to mussel farms located on the northeastern coast of Italy. In response, Italy's Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lo Bue, has allocated a budget of €2.9 million (approximately 4.2 billion Korean won) to combat the blue crab infestation and plans to offer rewards to those who capture and dispose of them.

 

Upon hearing this news, some in Korea expressed the idea of going to Italy themselves to eat blue crabs and claim the rewards. Mr. Lee Kang-hee has turned this idea into reality.

 

In related news, Tunisia is also struggling with an increase in blue crabs that eat seafood, and Korea has been importing Tunisian crabs since 2017. In 2022, Korea imported a total of 12,867 tons of crabs, with Chinese crabs accounting for the majority at 12,472 tons, and only 163 tons being imported from Tunisia.

 

Mr. Lee Kang-hee explained, "Blue crabs are closer to Korean or Tunisian crabs than to Bahraini crabs. However, their shells are thicker than Korean or Tunisian crabs, so they have a firmer texture." He added, "They may not be suitable for seasoned crab dishes, but they are expected to be widely used for soy sauce marinated crab dishes."

 

This news is likely to excite those in Korea who enjoy soy sauce marinated crab, and if the import of Italian blue crabs does indeed take place, it will be interesting to see what changes occur in the Korean market. Particularly, this news holds promise for those who appreciate the unique flavor and texture of blue crabs.