Eastern Asia: Snail Market 2025

Snail Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian snail market contracted rapidly to $X in 2022, dropping by -36.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a pronounced setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Snail Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, snail production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 9.8% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Snail Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, exports of snails (except sea snails) in Eastern Asia contracted to X tons, which is down by -8.7% on the year before. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 122% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, snail exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 207%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Korea was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 82% of total exports. It was distantly followed by China (X tons), constituting a 16% share of total exports.

South Korea was also the fastest-growing in terms of the snails (except sea snails) exports, with a CAGR of +23.1% from 2012 to 2022. China (-13.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Korea (+71 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of China (-58.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Korea ($X) remains the largest snail supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 17% share of total exports.

In South Korea, snail exports expanded at an average annual rate of +15.7% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 47% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while South Korea totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-0.6%).

Snail Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

Snail imports dropped markedly to X tons in 2022, which is down by -57.7% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 111% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, snail imports declined significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 72%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China represented the key importer of snails (except sea snails) in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 54% of total imports in 2022. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) took a 33% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Hong Kong SAR (10%). Japan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +42.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported snails (except sea snails) in Eastern Asia, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 21% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled -6.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Hong Kong SAR (+0.4% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-2.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, rising by 9.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 59% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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