Core Insights - The consumption of hairy crabs in China is shifting from a traditional gift item to a regular dining choice, with consumers prioritizing the quality and fat content over the origin of the crabs [1][4][6] - The market for hairy crabs has expanded significantly, with the wholesale market size reaching 32.917 billion yuan in 2023, and the production volume exceeding 7 billion crabs, indicating a growing acceptance across various regions in China [4][6] - The industry faces challenges related to a lack of standardized quality assessment, consumer trust issues, and inconsistent supply quality, which are referred to as the "three lacks" [8][11][12] Market Trends - The market for hairy crabs has seen a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% from 2020 to 2025, with total production increasing from 634,000 tons to 850,000 tons [4] - The sales volume and coverage area of hairy crabs have expanded, with a nearly 20% year-on-year increase in sales at Hema [4][19] - Consumers are increasingly focused on the fat content and taste of the crabs rather than their geographical origin, reflecting a more rational approach to consumption [6][12] Industry Challenges - The industry lacks a unified standard for assessing crab quality, leading to inconsistent consumer experiences and difficulties for lesser-known brands to gain recognition [8][11] - Trust issues persist due to market irregularities, such as mislabeling and quality discrepancies, which have resulted in numerous consumer complaints [11][12] - The quality of hairy crabs is heavily influenced by environmental factors, making it difficult to ensure consistent supply and quality [11][12] Solutions and Innovations - Companies like Hema are collaborating with research institutions to develop quantifiable methods for assessing crab quality, such as the "electronic crab inspector" that uses AI technology [13][15] - Brands are implementing rigorous selection processes to ensure high-quality products reach consumers, with some companies discarding a significant percentage of crabs during quality checks [15][19] - To build consumer trust, companies are offering guarantees such as refunds for crabs that do not meet fat content standards, thereby shifting the risk from consumers to the platform [17][19]

北京商报讯（记者 王维祎）秋季是大闸蟹尝鲜季，近日，北京商报记者走访江苏省兴化市了解到，相比去年，今年的天气、温度等适合大闸蟹生长，预计 今年的产量会有提升，整体价格将有所下降。 据悉，今年，盒马启用"电子验蟹师"。"电子验蟹师"是一台检测仪器，其原理是通过视觉AI技术，快速识别大闸蟹的外壳长宽度，结合重量等参数，再利用 一套专为大闸蟹设计的算法，计算出这只大闸蟹的K值（肥满度），然后根据K值给大闸蟹分级。 据盒马数据，近几年，大闸蟹的销售规模以及消费区域都在不断扩大。从2022年到2024年，盒马大闸蟹销售持续增长，其中2024年销售同比增长了近20%。 销售区域上看，除了江浙沪外，大闸蟹的接受范围越来越广，西南、华中、华北2024年的大闸蟹销售均呈现持续增长的态势。 兴化市板桥故里水产品养殖有限公司董事长董佳贝表示，今年整个八月没有持续的高温天气，下雨也很频繁，这非常适合大闸蟹的生长。对此，盒马蟹品类 采购负责人霖旭表示，今年大闸蟹的价格预计比去年便宜至少10%，"因为产量上来了"。 值得关注的是，市场中大闸蟹品质良莠不齐，买大闸蟹类似"开盲盒"。董佳贝表示，大闸蟹的消费正在回归理性。此前，消费者购买大闸 ...