SADC: Snail Market 2025

Snail Market Size in SADC

The SADC snail market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Snail Production in SADC

In value terms, snail production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 10% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Snail Exports

Exports in SADC

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of snails (except sea snails) decreased by -42.4% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 492%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, snail exports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 621%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 98% of total exports in 2022. Madagascar (X kg) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Madagascar (+97.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +97.1% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa and Madagascar increased by +6.8 and +1.7 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest snail supplier in SADC, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Madagascar ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa was relatively modest.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -30.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 1,209% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while South Africa stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-7.0%).

Snail Imports

Imports in SADC

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of snails (except sea snails) decreased by -8.2% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 416%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, snail imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 129%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Namibia (X tons) represented the largest importer of snails (except sea snails), making up 63% of total imports. South Africa (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Zambia (X tons). All these countries together held near 35% share of total imports.

Imports into Namibia increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Africa (+146.1%) and Zambia (+20.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +146.1% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Namibia, South Africa and Zambia increased by +37, +28 and +6.5 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported snails (except sea snails) in SADC, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 22% share of total imports.

In South Africa, snail imports increased at an average annual rate of +92.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (+23.7% per year) and Namibia (-11.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 542% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform