EU: Snail Market 2025

Snail Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU snail market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Snail Production in the EU

In value terms, snail production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 30%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Snail Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, overseas shipments of snails (except sea snails) decreased by -37.3% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, snail exports dropped dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Hungary dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 61% of total exports in 2022. Ireland (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.9% share, followed by Lithuania (8.3%) and Poland (5.1%). The following exporters - Bulgaria (X tons), France (X tons) and Romania (X tons) - each finished at a 12% share of total exports.

Exports from Hungary decreased at an average annual rate of -5.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ireland (+27.8%), Lithuania (+16.8%) and Romania (+4.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ireland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +27.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-3.8%), Bulgaria (-8.3%) and Poland (-20.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Romania and France increased by +19, +8.6, +7.6, +2.8 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Lithuania ($X), Ireland ($X) and Hungary ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 55% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Ireland, with a CAGR of +29.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Snail Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, approx. X tons of snails (except sea snails) were imported in the European Union; waning by -12.7% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports saw a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, snail imports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) was the main importer of snails (except sea snails), mixing up 59% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Portugal (X tons), France (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together constituting a 27% share of total imports. The Czech Republic (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Romania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of snails (except sea snails). At the same time, the Czech Republic (+10.6%), Lithuania (+9.5%), Portugal (+7.6%) and Italy (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Czech Republic emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +10.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Romania (-3.6%) and France (-22.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Spain (+28 p.p.), Portugal (+9.6 p.p.), Italy (+3.6 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+2.7 p.p.) and Lithuania (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while France saw its share reduced by -48.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest snail importing markets in the European Union were France ($X), Spain ($X) and Italy ($X), with a combined 66% share of total imports. Romania, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

In terms of the main importing countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +16.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 100% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum 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 Romania ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+22.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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