Snail Market

The global snail market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% from 2022 to 2030, reaching 90K tons in volume and $246M in value by 2030. France, Spain, and Morocco were the top consumers in 2022. Production declined slightly to 75K tons, with Morocco leading production. Global imports fell to 43K tons, with France as the largest importer. Exports fell to 36K tons in 2022, with Morocco, Turkey, and Poland as the leading exporters. Ukraine recorded the highest growth in exports and Lithuania had the highest export price. Price trends indicated a strong increase in export price from 2012 to 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for snails (except sea snails) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 90K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $246M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Snails

Global snail consumption fell to 82K tons in 2022, reducing by -3.2% against 2021. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 84K tons, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

The global snail market value declined modestly to $191M in 2022, with a decrease of -2.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $195M, and then fell in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were France (24K tons), Spain (14K tons) and Morocco (6.8K tons), together accounting for 55% of global consumption. Hungary, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy, Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +49.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest snail markets worldwide were Hungary ($24M), France ($21M) and the Czech Republic ($17M), with a combined 33% share of the global market.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +49.7%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of snail per capita consumption in 2022 were Hungary (700 kg per 1000 persons), the Czech Republic (528 kg per 1000 persons) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (409 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +49.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Snails

In 2022, the amount of snails (except sea snails) produced worldwide declined modestly to 75K tons, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 7.3%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 82K tons. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, snail production declined to $202M in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 5.9%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $211M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of snail production was Morocco (18K tons), accounting for 24% of total volume. Moreover, snail production in Morocco exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Hungary (6.8K tons), threefold. Spain (6.5K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.7% share.

In Morocco, snail production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hungary (-5.3% per year) and Spain (+1.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Snails

Global snail imports fell to 43K tons in 2022, dropping by -9.2% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 52K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, snail imports shrank to $66M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at $76M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

France was the largest importer of snails (except sea snails) in the world, with the volume of imports recording 23K tons, which was near 55% of total imports in 2022. Spain (10K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 23% share, followed by Portugal (5%). The following importers - Bosnia and Herzegovina (1.3K tons) and Italy (1.1K tons) - each reached a 5.7% share of total imports.

Imports into France increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina (+29.4%), Portugal (+7.6%) and Italy (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bosnia and Herzegovina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +29.4% from 2012-2022. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. France (+3 p.p.), Bosnia and Herzegovina (+2.8 p.p.) and Portugal (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Spain saw its share reduced by -4.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($20M), Spain ($10M) and Italy ($6.9M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 57% of global imports. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.5%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a CAGR of +43.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average snail import price stood at $1,550 per ton in 2022, picking up by 2.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 20%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($6,288 per ton), while France ($873 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bosnia and Herzegovina (+10.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Snails

In 2022, overseas shipments of snails (except sea snails) decreased by -5% to 36K tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 54K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, snail exports fell to $76M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at $79M in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Morocco (11K tons), distantly followed by Turkey (5.5K tons), Poland (5.1K tons) and Spain (2.3K tons) represented the largest exporters of snails (except sea snails), together committing 66% of total exports. France (1,152 tons), Bulgaria (967 tons), Indonesia (830 tons), Lithuania (782 tons), Serbia (762 tons), Ukraine (733 tons), North Macedonia (653 tons), Thailand (587 tons) and Romania (547 tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ukraine (with a CAGR of +83.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($11M), Lithuania ($6.2M) and France ($5M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 30% share of global exports. Spain, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Poland, Ukraine, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Thailand and North Macedonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Ukraine, with a CAGR of +104.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average snail export price stood at $2,107 per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, export price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, snail export price increased by +70.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 36% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lithuania ($7,964 per ton), while Poland ($575 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+11.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform