The Yellow River Delta in Dongying city – located at 37 degrees north latitude, in East China's Shandong province – offers ideal conditions for farming hairy crabs, thanks to its rich natural resources and environment.

These crabs from the Yellow River mouth are known for their very special traits: Green shells, white bellies, golden claws and yellow hair.

By the end of 2023, Dongying was home to over 20 leading crab farming business enterprises and cooperatives, with 4,666.66 hectares dedicated to farming. Annual production reached 7,000 tons, generating over 1 billion yuan ($141.73 million).

The hairy crab industry has greatly benefited local villagers. Dongying has introduced a collaborative model involving industry associations, business enterprises, cooperatives and farmers to boost local incomes.

In addition, the region has leveraged its natural and cultural resources to develop a rural tourism zone, involving farmers from 18 villages.

The initiative has increased incomes for over 300 farming households, with crab farmers now earning an average of 36,000 yuan annually. In the process, what was once barren land has been transformed into  a prosperous farming area.

Local farmers harvest hairy crabs. [Photo/Dazhong News]