DENTON, Md. - The 2026 crabbing season is getting underway on Delmarva, but watermen and seafood businesses say rising costs are already creating challenges from the water to the table.
Bruce Cole of Cole’s Seafood House and Deli said nearly every expense tied to crabbing has increased — making it more costly to catch and sell crabs.
“It’s cost so much to go anymore between bait and material…diesel fuel…everything,” Cole said.
Those higher costs are also affecting customers. Cole says demand has softened as prices rise.
“The demand for the crabs is not there…people’s money is tight too, so they can’t afford to pay outrageous prices,” Cole said.
Alan Sorrell, who works at the market, said he has seen the price increases firsthand.
“I've seen the price of it go significantly higher…I’m talking $10, $20 a pound higher than normal,” Sorrell said.
Sorrell added that limited supply — especially of fresh crab meat — is adding even more pressure.
“There's only been pasteurized crab for the last few months, which is putting a strain on the industry,” Sorrell told WBOC.
Glenn Blough, a waterman and seafood market owner, said watermen are facing similar challenges on the water, where inflation has driven up the cost of nearly everything needed to operate.
“It’s real challenging…the way inflation is, it’s hard for people to be able to afford them,” Blough said.
Blough said the balance between supply and demand will ultimately determine where prices go this season.
“If the crabs get real plentiful, the price can come down a little bit. If they don't, the price will be up all summer…that’s just the way it works,” Blough said.
With the season just beginning — and after a slow start — many are hoping warmer weather and stronger catches will help stabilize both supply and prices in the weeks ahead.