Latin America and the Caribbean: Snail Market 2025

Snail Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, the Latin American snail market increased by 26% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Snail Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, snail production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 79%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Snail Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, exports of snails (except sea snails) in Latin America and the Caribbean contracted rapidly to X tons, dropping by -17.8% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 121%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, snail exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 215%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico prevails in exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 84% of total exports in 2022. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 9.2% share, followed by Ecuador (6%).

Mexico was also the fastest-growing in terms of the snails (except sea snails) exports, with a CAGR of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022. Chile (-24.1%) and Ecuador (-37.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mexico (+58 p.p.) and Ecuador (+6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Chile saw its share reduced by -53.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest snail supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 22% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Mexico amounted to +7.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (-15.3% per year) and Ecuador (-37.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Export price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 decreased by -14.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 109% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+11.6%).

Snail Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the amount of snails (except sea snails) imported in Latin America and the Caribbean fell dramatically to X tons, which is down by -36.4% compared with the previous year. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 352% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, snail imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 956%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Dominican Republic was the major importer of snails (except sea snails) in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 57% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Guyana (X kg) and Aruba (X kg), together constituting a 31% share of total imports. The following importers - Grenada (X kg), Argentina (X kg) and Antigua and Barbuda (X kg) - each finished at an 8.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to snail imports into the Dominican Republic stood at +14.3%. At the same time, Aruba (+20.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Aruba emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +20.7% from 2012-2022. Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Antigua and Barbuda (-3.3%), Grenada (-13.6%) and Guyana (-37.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Dominican Republic (+57 p.p.), Guyana (+17 p.p.), Aruba (+15 p.p.), Grenada (+3 p.p.) and Argentina (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported snails (except sea snails) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Aruba ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 14% share.

In the Dominican Republic, snail imports plunged by an average annual rate of -4.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Aruba (+20.1% per year) and Argentina (0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, surging by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, faced a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 134% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Grenada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Antigua and Barbuda (+12.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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