Taixing jiangsha crab. [Photo/WeChat account: txfabu]
Taixing's signature jiangsha crab, a national agricultural product with geographical indication status, refers to the famous local mitten crab naturally reared in the high-sand soils and river networks of the Yangtze River Delta region.
It has grown from a once-unviable local aquaculture experiment into a 450-million-yuan ($66.41 million) core pillar of the local fishing industry, accounting for 63 percent of the city's total fishery output value.
Over a decade ago, local high-sand soil was deemed unsuitable for crab farming until a partnership with Shanghai Ocean University developed tailored solutions to stabilize water quality and aquatic grass growth, yielding crabs known for their green shells, white bellies, and plump meat.
Taixing later rolled out a unified standardized production model covering seed, feed, farming techniques, packaging, and sales, supporting over 400 farming households across 32,000 mu (about 2,133 hectares) of ponds with an annual output of 4,200 metric tons.
A joint deep-processing facility invested by Shanghai's time-honored brand Shao Wan Sheng now processes hundreds of tons of local crabs yearly, turning small and damaged crabs into premium crab roe and oil products, lifting profit margins by 65 percent.
The industry also integrates e-commerce sales, branded product lines, and crab-themed agritourism, boosting average net incomes for local farmers. Taixing authorities plan to introduce more smart aquaculture systems, cementing the crab's role as a key driver of rural vitalization.