Sanmen mud crab industry tops 5b yuan

Mud crabs release impurities in a temperature-controlled purification tank developed by Zhejiang Huanma Agricultural Technology Development based in Sanmen county, Taizhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Sanmen county in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, is known as the "home of mud crabs" and is developing a thriving industry supported by its extensive tidal flats and favorable brackish-water resources. The industry's annual output value across the full supply chain now exceeds 5 billion yuan ($744.06 million) and supports employment and income growth for more than 100,000 people.

To address industry bottlenecks, Sanmen has worked with universities to establish a research institute and develop a new high-quality mud crab strain, "Yongtai No 1", reducing reliance on externally sourced crab larvae. The county is also promoting intelligent, factory-based farming technologies to improve production capacity and survival rates.

Local companies have developed new purification techniques that reduce losses during transportation and improve product quality. Supported by expanded sales channels through the supply and marketing network and agricultural insurance policies, Sanmen has developed an integrated industry covering breeding, farming, sales, and insurance.