MAY 2022

Global Snail Market Overview

MAY 2022

Global Snail Market

Overview
Contents

oBackground P.4

oIrish Snail Industry P.6

oGlobal Market Overview 2020 – Unprepared Snails (HS 030760) P.11

o Imports & Exports 2021 (HS 030760 + HS 160558) P.17

oCountry Snapshots P.24

oNew Product Launches P.39

oLooking Ahead P.44

oAppendix P. 47

3
Background
This market insight report provides an overview of the estimated global market for snails. It is the second iteration, following the first
report that was published in 2018.

The report estimates market size, share of consumption, dynamics of supply and pricing. In addition, it provides a snapshot of those
countries that are most integral to the global market and the current level of innovation that exists. This document is suitable for
introduction to these potential markets for any client company and potential new entrants.

Data on global snail production and consumption is incomplete, therefore figures are indicative and may not always tally.

The report was compiled through desk research and similar to the 2018 version, IndexBox Analysis and Global Trade Atlas (GTA) data
serves as the primary sources of data. A selection of tables and figures are presented with the latest reference year for most, being 2021
and are as close to actuals as possible whereas the 2018 report figures were estimates. Figures are obtained from both the available
statistics and estimates according to industry publications.

It is important to note that there will always be differences in reporting of imports and exports. We typically emphasis the use of
imports wherever possible due to the ‘country of origin’ rule, however there can often be discrepancies with the Eurostat members. For
Example: If goods were going from Ireland to Belgium via another EU member state, then Belgium would be reporting trade based upon
the last EU member country it went through and Ireland would report exports to destination of Belgium.

4
Product Coverage
This market insight report first seeks to understand the Snail global market as a commodity with production data sourced from FAO
statistics according to the code FCL 1176 “Snails, not sea, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine”.

The concordance between this code and code HS 030760 - Molluscs; snails, other than sea snails, whether in shell or not, live, fresh,
chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, or smoked, cooked or not before or during the smoking process, is officially establised by
FAOstat.

Building upon this understanding, the report explores the import and export dynamics of those downstream products which are
produced from the raw snails covered under HS 030760. These products cover prepared snails and are classifed under code HS
160558- Mollusc preparations; snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved

Examples of these prepared products are presented later in the report to demonstrate the level of value add and innovation that
exists in the global marketplace.

5
Irish Snail Industry
Overview

The natural snail observed in Ireland is called the Helix Aspersa Muller also known as the Petit Gris. This species is one of the three most
popular species on the global market, along with the Helix pomatia and Helix lucorum.

In addition to the Helix Aspersa Muller (Petit Gris) species which weighs approximately 8-15g, a larger size exists in the large grey snail (Helix
Aspersa Maxima) which can weigh in at 17-25g. ‘

There are approximately 30 snail farmers in Ireland and our temperate and damp climate are particularly well suited to snail farming.

Whilst land requirment is minimal, snail farming is labour intensive requiring a lot of time and manpower particulalry for ongoing monitoring
of temperature, humiduty levels and nutrition of the snails and harvesting which is completed by hand. The time required to produce 10,000
tonnes is estimated to be 2,000 hours but that is for the farming alone, not the processing or commercialisation.

The production cycle can take approximatley 9 months from January to September.

There are many variables to success, the most important being soil type since snails prefer a damp soil (35% moisture is ideal). As soil serves
as a natural source of nutrients and minerals for the snail, ideally it should have high organic matter levels and supplemented with lime to
ensure good shell formation.

Mortality rates average at 20% but can vary particulalry if there are issues with predators (mice, rats or birds).

Source: Teagasc.ie
Process of Snail Farming - topline overview
Constant of 17 degrees
Stage 1 celsius and 18 hours of light
Reproduction
Breeding room
Mating & laying
eggs (up to 150 per
snail)
Stage 4 Stage 2
Finishing Growth Incubation
Snails move to field Eggs harvested by
1.2 million can hand and housed
populate 1 acre in plastic boxes at
and produce 10 20 degrees celsius
tonnes of snail 15 days eggs hatch
meat

Cover and netting protects

from weather, predators Stage 3
and prevents escape
Growth
Baby snails kept in
polytunnel for 8
Optimum temperature at
weeks
night of 12 degrees celsius
Ireland Snail Exports 2021
Export Volume & Value

Exports, to Country, 2021 Vs. 2020

Exports, to Country, 2021
(Volume Tonnes) (tonnes) (Value USD)

World (U) 472 +80 World (U) 2,367,537 Price per Kg

France (U) 329 +5 France (U) 1,691,057 ~

Vietnam (U) 75 $5.14

+75 Portugal (U) 308,894

Portugal (U) $5.59

55 Vietnam (U) 297,776
=
$3.99
Belgium (U) 12 Belgium (U) 61,527
=
$5.34
World (P) 6 World (P) 48,570
-5
~
France (P) 6 France (P) 48,557
-5 $8.02
Spain (U) 1 Spain (U)
+1 4,589 $5.31
Germany (U) 1 Germany (U)
(P) Prepared HS 160558 3,690 (P) Prepared HS 160558 $6.05
(U) Unprepared HS 030760 = (U) Unprepared HS 030760

When refering to the Import charts of international markets later on in the report, it is important to remember that there will always be differences in reporting of imports and
exports. Some of the volume seen here for Irish exports, may not be classified as such by those countries reporting upon their own imports. This is due to goods travelling through
other countries before they arrive at their destination and the importer reporting the last country that they travelled through.
Source: GTA Database
SWOT

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
•Temperate and damp climate •Weather conditions in cold summers and harsh winters can deliver low yields
•Low land requirement •High input costs
•Produce available throughout winter (unlike wild snails which are harvested in •Labour intensive
April) •Helix Aspersa Muller is no. 2 or 3 choice in key market of France
•Strong Irish image in key European markets for quality and farming •Lack of domestic processing capability
•Quality of Irish farmed snails •High transportation costs
•Diversification to other farming practices •Classification vs. other international competitors (transportation limitations)

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
•Strong global market that is undersupplied •Industrialisation of farming in other markets
•Re-opening of foodservice and HoReCa industry •Supply of cheap wild snails and large scale farmed snails
•Presence of Helix Aspersa Muller in value-add products in French retail •Low pricing from Eastern European and African countries
•“Me-Too” or disruptive value-add products for international retail •Supply to key EU markets is almost monopolised
•Development of domestic snail consumption
•EU regulation to block a lot of wild picked snails
•Organic certification
•Increase of other uses for snails (leveraging no waste)
 Global Market
Overview 2020
(Unprepared Snails HS 030760)
Global Market Size (HS 030760)
Consumption Volume
Consumption of snails (except sea snails) has fluctuated over the Market Volume, in consumption terms, 2015-2020
past 5 years. (thousand tonnes, % y-o-y)
99 200%
In 2019, global consumption reached a market high of 81k tonnes 89 81
80 80
following a two-year rising trend from 2017. 79 76 75 73 150%

However, 2020 saw the greatest decrease ever experienced by the 69

market with consumption volume falling by 9.5% to 73K tonnes. 59 100%
49
Since a significant volume of fresh snail consumption falls on the
HoReCa channel, the impact was substantial, as the channel was 39 50%
one of the hardest hit by counter active measures and travel 29 6.1%
4.5% 1.7%
restrictions. -2.1% -5.7% -9.5%
19 0%
As the post-pandemic recovery begins and tourism resumes, the 9
market is set to grow slowly, but is not forecast to reach the 2019
-1 -50%
market high in the long term. Instead, consumption is forecast with 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
an anticipated CAGR of +0.7% from 2020 to 2030, projecting a
Consumption '000 tonnes % y-o-y
market volume to 79K tonnes by the end of 2030.

Source: UN data, IndexBox analysis

12
Global Market Size (HS 030760)
Consumption value
The market value prices here are captured at importer/ exporter Market Value, in consumption terms, 2015-2020
prices as opposed to the final consumer price. These figures 200 (million USD, % y-o-y) 200.0%
provide an indcation of approximate value size in what is a 180
challenging industry to quantify. 158 155 155
160 150 151 150.0%
141
In the last 6 years, market value peaked at $158 million, however 140
this is still someway off the global market peak level of $193
120 100.0%
million in 2008.
100
Despite the -9.5% decrease in consumption volume between 2019
80 50.0%
and 2020, the market has done well to hold it’s value, having only
experienced a very minimal decrease (-0.1%) in value versus the 60 6.7% 4.8%
0.3% -1.8% -0.1%
previous year. -7.7%
40 0.0%
20
0 -50.0%
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Million USD % y-o-y

Source: UN data, IndexBox analysis

13
Top 10 Consuming Countries 2020 (HS 030760)
Consumption volume
France is the largest consumer of snails globally, accounting for Consumption, by Country, 2020
approximately 31% of total consumption volume. However, from (Consumption volume, tonnes) 2015-2020
% CAGR
the period of 2015-2020 consumption volume contracted by
-3.8%. France 22,390 -3.8%

Spain 15,083 -0.7%

Spain is the next largest consumer of snails and double that of
Morocco in third place. Outside of these countries, consumption Morocco 8,094 6.2 %

figures start to drop off quite quickly. Portugal 4,005 0.8%

China 1,769 18.3%

The top 5 countries equate to two thirds of global consumption
and whilst Italy would have previously been part of this list, China Italy 1,661 2.7%
now occupies fifth place having recorded growth of 18.3% over the Indonesia 1,455 -7.9%
last 6 years.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,231 5.3%

Within this top 10, it is reported that consumption in Indonesia has Romania 1,133 2.7%
experienced the biggest decline, with a contraction of -7.9%.
Thailand 894 0.1%

Rank #19 Ireland 553 14.5%

Source: UN data, IndexBox analysis

14
Top 10 Consuming Countries 2020 (HS 030760)
Consumption value
When we look at the top 10 list for consumption value, we not Consumption, by Country, 2020
only see a change to the rankings but also to countries included. (Value, million USD) 2015-2020
% CAGR

The notable changes are the inclusion of Singapore, South Africa France 21.41 -2.77%
and Phillipines following the removal of Indonesia, Bosnia and Spain 17.30 5.46%
Herzegovina and Thailand.
Italy 9.01 5.45%

Compared to consumption volumes, consumption value is much Romania 8.28 5.47%

more evenly distributed globally, demonstrating great variation in
Morocco 7.73 11.86%
pricing.
Singapore 6.09 2.33%
France remains top of the list with a value of $21.41million Portugal 5.48 4.85%
equating to almost 14% of the consumption value globally.
China 4.98 13.28%

Italy and Romania may be two profitable markets whereby import South Africa 4.30 2.08%
prices are high. Import prices in Italy however are declining,
Philippines 4.22 2.33%
whereas those in Romania are growing.
Rank #17 Ireland 3.17 17.93%

Source: UN data, IndexBox analysis

15
 Production, by Country, 2020
Top 10 Producing Countries 2020 (HS 030760) (% of global production)

Morocco
3%2%2% Hungary
3%
Spain
The top 10 producing countries represent 75% of global production. 6% 25%
Turkey
Czech Republic
7%
Morrocco alone is responsible for 25% of the world’s supply, having expanded at Poland

an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period 2015 – 2020). Snail production 8%
Indonesia
Portugal
stood at 18.4K tonnes in 2020, two and half times that of the next largest 9%
9% France
producer, Hungary (7Ktonnes). Thailand

Spain occupys third position at 6.5K tonnes with an 8.9% share of global Ireland 0.76% (Rank #23)

production, however of the top 3 countries, production has remained the most
2015 –2020
consistent. Production, by Country, 2020 % CAGR
(tonnes)
Morocco 18,436 1.6%
France has seen the greatest growth in the period 2015-2020, having increased Hungary 6,953 -4.1%
production by 4.1% CAGR. Yet when we refer to the country’s volume need to Spain 6,537 0.7%

meet consumption demand, they are producing less than 10% of their Turkey 5,912 -1.3%
Czech Republic 5,046
consumption needs. 2.1%
Poland 4,500 -12.6%
Indonesia 2,263 -4.4%
Poland records the greatest contraction in production during 2015 – 2020 with a Portugal 1,868 0.7%
CAGR of -12.6%, three times more than the next closest contractions in Hungary France 1,562 4.1%
and Indonesia. Thailand 1,318 3.1%
Ireland 557 Rank #23 0.8%

Source: UN data, IndexBox analysis

16
Imports & Exports
2021
(HS 030760 + HS 160558)
Top 10 Importing Countries 2021 (HS 030760)
Import value and price per Kg USD
In 2021, total global imports were estimated to be valued at Imports, by Country, 2021
$68.3million. (million USD, price per Kg USD)

17.3
In 2021, the top importers of Snails were France and Spain,
accounting for 25.4% and 19.3% of global import value
respectively. 13.2

Value of imports has increased in both markets, albeit to a greater

9.24
extent in France due to a slight increase in price per kg whereas 7.61
Spain saw a slight decrease in price per kg versus 2020. 7.0 7.95
6.59
4.3 4.62
4.83 3.1
Import prices are high and growing in the markets of the U.S 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.7
3.53 2.28
($7.61kg),Italy ($6.59) and Romania ($7.95). The greatest increase 1.4
1.12 1.47
versus 2020 came from Bosnia +36.5% from $1.67 to $2.28 per kg.

Price paid per kg decreased across Spain, China, Czech Republic

and Hong Kong.
Price $ per Kg

Source: GTA Database

18
Top 10 Exporting Countries 2021 (HS 030760)
Export value & price per kg USD
Over the last 10 years exports peaked at 30.14k tonnes in 2018 but Exports, by Country, 2021
subsequently fell over 2019 & 2020. However, 2021 saw a notable (million USD, price per Kg USD)
increase (+13.75% YoY) to 29.72k tonnes indicating that there may
be a new peak in 2022 if this growth continues. 12.00
11.36 16.00

13.93
The value of exports in 2021 amounted to $65.6million.
14.00

10.00

11.06 12.00

Morocco remains the largest exporter of snails globally, 8.00

11.12
comprimising 17.3% of global exports which equated to a value of 6.25
10.00

$11.6million (increase of 17.7% vs. 2020). 6.00

8.16 5.65 5.47 8.00

7.56 7.20
Romania holds the next greatest share at 9.54% having recorded 4.17 3.92 3.90
5.97
7.00 6.00

3.90 3.43
the greatest increase (+60.7%) in price paid per kg vs. 2020.
4.00

2.78 2.69
4.00

Hungary and Canada both recorded significant increases in export 2.00

0.99 2.00

value compared to 2020. Likely driven by price paid per kg for

Canadian exports and increased export volumes for Hungary. 0.00 0.00

Morocco Romania Indonesia Turkey Hungary France Czech Lithuania Canada Serbia
Republic
Price $ per Kg

Source: GTA Database,

UN data, IndexBox analysis

19
Top 10 Importing Countries 2021 (HS 160558)
Import value & price per kg USD
The top 10 importers of prepared snails account for 91% of global Imports, by Country, 2021
import value ($69.8 million). According to GTA data, France is the (million USD, price per Kg USD)
number one importer of prepared snails. In 2021 imports were
36.23
valued at $36.23 million which was almost five times more than
the next greatest importer by value, Romania.

Import prices can vary significantly by country for prepared 25.52

product. Switzerland records the highest price paid per Kg at 21.68
$25.52 whereas Canada records the lowest of the top 10 importers
at $6.04. 13.97
14.41
12.02
7.67
Average price paid per kg by the top 10 importers is approximately 9.54 6.69 6.04
10.32
$12.9 having increased by 8.35% or 1$ vs. 2020. 9.02 3.78 3.56 3.56 2.56 1.99 1.88 1.38 0.93
Germany (+34.7%), Switzerland (+23.9%) and Canada (+17.9%)
recorded the biggest increases in price paid per kg for imports
whereas the Netherlands (-12.6%) and Belgium (-7.4%) recorded
the greatest decreases vs. 2020.
Price $ per Kg

Source: GTA Database,

UN data, IndexBox analysis

20
Top 10 Exporting Countries 2021 (HS 160558)
Export value & price per kg USD
The top 10 exporters account for 94.3% of global export value Exports by Country, 2021
($78.5million). According to GTA data, Romania is the greatest (million USD, price per Kg USD)
exporter of prepared snails with a value of $21.1million in 2021
having recorded a 22% increase in export value from 2020. 21.1
18.88

France is the next greatest exporter valuing exports in 2021 at $15.8 15.8
million up 10% vs. 2020.
11.85
Export prices also vary quite significantly by country for prepared 9.8
8.70 9.44 9.14 10.08
8.4
product but the average price per kg for the top 10 exporters stood 9.44 8.97 8.21
5.59
at $10 in 2020. France recorded the highest price per Kg at $18.88
4.4 4.0
whereas Indonesia receives the lowest at $5.59 in this top 10. 3.4 3.0
2.1 2.0

Czech Republic reported the greatest increase in export value vs.

2020, increasing by 459% from $362k. Only China (-42.2%) and
Indonesia (-18.7%) recorded decreases in value vs. 2020.

Price $ per Kg

Source: GTA Database,

UN data, IndexBox analysis

21
Prepared vs. Unprepared Imports 2021 (HS 030760 vs. HS 160558)
Import value, million USD
The chart to the right maps import values for both Prepared and Imports, by Country, 2021
Unprepared snails according to trade data available from GTA. (million USD)

France (P) 36.23

France, Romania, Canada and the U.S are the only countries that Morocco (U) 11.36
feature as both importers of Prepared and Unprepared. France in Romania (P) 7.67
particular are the leader in global imports across both product Romania (U) 6.25
Indonesia (U) 5.65
types, equating to a total import value of $40.2 million. Turkey (U) 5.47
Hungary (U) 4.17
Since 2018, the Prepared snail market has been developing and France (U) 3.92
whilst France remains the main destination for prepared snails, Czech Republic (U) 3.90
Lithuania (U) 3.90
there are a number of alternative markets to consider (albeit with United States (P) 3.78
a lower price paid per kg). Japan (P) 3.56
Belgium (P) 3.56
Canada (U) 3.43
Import volume of Unprepared snails was 3.2 times greater than Serbia (U) 2.69
that of Prepared snails. (24,155 tonnes Unprepared vs. 7,503 Canada (P) 2.56
tonnnes Prepared). The market demand for volume lies in Hong Kong (P) 1.99
Germany (P) 1.88
Unprepared, however there is significant value to be had for Netherlands (P) 1.38
Prepared due to price paid per kg. Switzerland (P) 0.93 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760

Source: GTA Database,

UN data, IndexBox analysis

22
Prepared vs. Unprepared Exports 2021 (HS 030760 vs. HS 160558)
Export value, million USD
The greatest export value for snails is attributed to Prepared snails Exports, by Country, 2020
exported by Romania and France. (million USD)

Romania (P) 21.1

France, Turkey and Indonesia all feature within the top 20 list as France (P) 15.8
key exporters of both Prepared and Unprepared snails. Morocco (U) 11.36
Bosnia & Herzegovina (P) 9.8
Belgium (P) 8.4
Romania features as the leading exporter of Prepared snails in Romania (U) 6.25
value terms, they export at a much lower price per kg than France Indonesia (U) 5.65
and instead export at greater volumes – over 2.5 times more than Turkey (U) 5.47
France in 2020 (2233 tonnes). Turkey (P) 4.4
Hungary (U) 4.17
Lithuania (P) 4.0
Prepared snail exports were $12.9million greater in value than France (U) 3.92
Unprepared despite being 2.7 times less in volume terms (22,884 Czech Republic (U) 3.90
Lithuania (U) 3.90
tonnes Unprepared vs. 8,175 tonnnes Prepared). Canada (U) 3.43
Indonesia (P) 3.4
Greece (P) 3.0
Serbia (U) 2.69
China (P) 2.1
Czech Republic (P) 2.0 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760

Source: GTA Database,

UN data, IndexBox analysis

23
Country Snapshot:
FRANCE
FRANCE Overview
It is estimated that over 22,000 tonnes of snails are consumed in France each French Imports of Snails, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
year, equating to 339g per person per year. Snails are mostly eaten in Alsace and
Franche-Comté and to a lesser extent in Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes.
World (P) 3,797
Approximately two-thirds of snails in France are consumed during the Christmas
Romania (P) 2,152
period, lending themselves as a seasonal product. Outside of this they are typically
World (U) 1,878
served as a starter (six to nine snails per plate) or an appertif accompaniment.
Turkey (P) 505

As the greatest importers of Unprepared snails, France imported approximately Turkey (U) 436

22,295 tonnes of Unprepared in 2021, the majority coming from Eastern Europe. Lithuania (U) 386
In addition, they imported 7,595 tonnes of Prepared snails in 2021. Romania (U) 370

Greece (P) 321

The average import price in 2021 for Prepared was $9.24 per kg and for
Belgium (P) 228
Unprepared it was $9.54 per kg, indicating that Unprepared snails have had some
Bosnia & Herzegovina (P) 226
added value ahead of importing.
Czech Republic (U) 208

Romania are the largest supplier of Prepared snails to France at an average of Czech Republic (P) 183

$8.82 per kg. Turkey are the next largest and also the largest for Unprepared Lithuania (P) 141 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760
imports.

Source: GTA Database

UN data, ComTrade,
https://worldinparis.com/escargots-in-france-snails

25
 Canned Snail Volumes, 2014-2018
(Gross tonnes)
FRANCE Snail Types
Snails in France are not all Burgundy snails (Helix pomatia), the classic snail (Helix lucorum)
and the small grey snail (Helix aspersa) also feature, similar to those produced in Ireland.

ADEPALE is an association for processed food companies in France. Processed snails is a

category that is part of this association and there are 7 snail processors that are member
companies. The data on this page is reflective of this sample not the whole market.
Burgundy (Helix Pomatia) Classic (Helix Lucorum)
In 2018, output from these 7 companies totalled 4,041 tonnes at a value of €76 million, Grey (Helix Aspersa) Achatina
equating to a sales price of $18.81 per kg.
Prepared In-shell Snail Volumes, 2014-2018
Petit Gris (Helix Aspersa) saw peak volumes in 2015, however has dropped off significantly (Net tonnes)
in the years that followed. Small market for this type and likely to supplement when
market volumes are low for the Burgundy and Classic species.

7 Member companies include:

•Bourgogne Escargots •Francaise Gastronomie •Romanzini

•Croque Bourgogne •Grand Jean •Sabarot Wassner
•Escal

Source: https://adepale.org/publications
FRANCE Retail Product Overview
There are broadly 3 types of snail products found in French grocery retail (and wholesale).

1. Stuffed snails – often in a tray or bag format across chilled and frozen
2. Snail flesh – in a canned format in a brine flavoured with herbs.
3. Snail shells – to be stuffed at home using canned snail meat

The majority of products feature Burgundy snails (Helix pomatia), there are a number of products featuring the Grey snail (Helix aspersa),
particulary in the prepared tray products whereby there may be a mix of the three main snail types. Labelling of snail origin can vary with some
products recording generic origins such as the E.U, others recording the specifics and some with no mention at all (only production origin).

Mix of Snail Types Large Grey Snails Burgundy snails from

Serbia, Bosnia, Belarus EU mix snails (incl. Grey) French Burgundy snails

Source: Carrerfour & E.Leclerc

Country Snapshot:
SPAIN
SPAIN Overview
It is estimated that over 15,000 tonnes of snails are consumed in Spain each Spanish Imports of Snails, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
year, equating to 321g per person per year. Spain are the second largest
consumers of snails behind France but is more traditional.
World (U) 11,747

Morocco (U) 11,423

Heliculture (Snail farming) is claimed to have grown significantly over the last
twenty years. In 2000, it was estimated that there were 26 snail farms in Spain, Italy (U) 165

however by 2018 this figure is 614, of which 38% (233) are located in Andalucia. World (P) 108

Snail farms still only contribute approx 3% of the country’s consumption volume. Morocco (P) 106

Lithuania (U) 59
Spain imports almost 97% of their total volume from Morocco with almost all of Poland (U) 37
it as Unprepared snails. Price per kg has increased since 2018 and was estimated Greece (U) 24
to be $1.12 per kg for Unprepared in 2021. Ukraine (U) 20

France (U) 11
With such a reliance on Morocco, the market is very limited for imports from Algeria (U) 4
other origins. Netherlands (U) 2

Portugal (U) 1

France (P) 1
(P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760

Source: GTA Database

UN data, ComTrade,
https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2018/04/25/snail-farming-expanding-in-spain

29
SPAIN Retail Product Overview
The Helix aspersa snail is highly popular in Spain as part of Mediterranean gastronomy and is known in Catalan and Spanish as the Caragol Bover
snail. They belong to a category of ‘wild’ ingredients that feature prominently in traditional Catalan recipes and feature more so in the Horeca
industry. They are easy to find in taverns, bars and traditional restaurants, either on their own or as an ingredient in a tapa, starter/ first course.

Products in retail are limited and much less developed than the category in France. Products tend to follow traditional recipe formulations offered
in sauces or salsa. Bags, tubs, cans and jars are all present, however there is a distinct lack of tray formats as per the French market. Since our
2018 report, it appears that there have been discontinuations of SKUs within the main retailers and the category has contracted somewhat.

Mercadona El Corte Ingles Eroski

Source: https://culinarybackstreets.com/cities-category/barcelona/2021/building-blocks-38/
https://tienda.mercadona.es/
https://www.elcorteingles.es/supermercado/
https://supermercado.eroski.es/en/
Country Snapshot:
ITALY
ITALY Overview
Italy is a smaller market in terms of it’s consumption volume which was Italian Imports of Snails, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
estimated to be 1,700 tonnes in 2020. However, import values appear to be
high due to the more varied and innovative uses of edible snails.
World (U) 1,057
Tunisia (U) 439
In 2019, there were estimated to be 870 farms in Italy on 500 hectares of land
Algeria (U) 371
and about 8,900 people employed directly or indirectly. Spain (U) 128
World (P) 62
Since 2018, Tunisia has surpassed Algeria in being the main destination for Serbia (U) 39
snail imports of unprepared, albeit only slightly ahead of Algeria still. However, Turkey (U) 37
the snails within these imports, likely originated from other origins or have Bosnia & Herzegovina (U) 29
gone through some level of processing (refer to appendix 5 – exports to Italy). Turkey (P) 23
Bosnia & Herzegovina (P) 22
Unprepared snails represent the majority of imports at approximately 1,057 France (P) 16
tonnes and the average import price in 2021 was $6.59 per kg. Prepared France (U) 5
imports represent just 5.5% of total imports at a volume of 62 tonnes. Denmark (U) 4
Romania (U) 2
Since imports of Unprepared are spread across a number of markets and due Portugal (U) 1
to the varied use of snails, there may be further potential for Irish snails in the Netherlands (U) 1 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760
market.

Source: GTA Database

UN data, ComTrade,
https://snailville.eu/sites/snailville.eu/files/IOs/IO1.A1-Snailville%20report-Italy.pdf

32
ITALY Product Overview Caviar

Among the various species of snails, the Helix aspersa is the most common species of
farmed edible snail in Italy. Other types include the Burgundy (Helix poimtia) and
Rigatella (Helix vermiculata). Over a 10 year period from 2010 to 2019, the consumption
of snails is said to have increased by around 320%.

The use of snails is much more varied in Italy than in France and Spain, lending itself to
high end gastronomy and also the cosmetic industry.
Cosmetics
In high end gastronomy, snail eggs are used to make caviar products. La Lumaca
Madonita is Italy’s largest snail farm, located in Sicily and they produced jarred, fresh
snail eggs which are eaten raw like caviar. Their Caviale di lumaca product retails for
about $1,900 per kg due to the intensive process it takes to farm them and they supply
to Russia, Switzerland and the UAE. The process can take 150 days and one snail may lay
between 50-100 eggs, which need to be harvested one by one using tweezers.

Other companies harvest snail slime to use within cosmetic products. Lumaca de Oro
produce snails for edible use but also produce a range of cosmetics (masks, oils,
shampoos) leveraging the regenerative propoerties of snail slime. In both instances they
use the Helix aspersa.

Source: https://snailville.eu/sites/snailville.eu/files/IOs/IO1.A1-Snailville%20report-Italy.pdf
https://modernfarmer.com/2019/09/italys-snail-breeding-scene-picks-up-the-pace/
https://www.lumacadeoro.com/en/shop-eng/
Country Snapshot:
OTHERS
PORTUGAL Overview
Snails in Portugal are known as Caracois and consumption is very traditional, Imports of Snails, Portugal, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
particularly in Lisbon and the South. They tend to be a seasonal product,
typically consumed during the summer period. A popular accompaniment to a
beer, they are served in cafés and cooked in garlic and oregano.
World (U) 1,885
There is little demand for imports of Prepared snails and the market for
Unprepared is monopolised by Spain. Almost all imports of Unprepared are Spain (U) 1,882
sourced from Morrocco at a reported price of $1.28 per kg.

According to GTA data, Ireland is the next largest importer with imports at Ireland (U) 2
approximately 2 tonnes. This volume however, may only reflect the amount
that is transported direct to Portugal, since Ireland reported exports of 55 Indonesia (U) 1
tonnes to Belgium in the same year. The balance of 53 tonnes was likely
transported via other member states, namely Spain.
World (P) 4

The challenge may be in increasing Irish exports to Portugal in light of

competitive pricing per kg for Spanish exports. France (P) 4
(P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760

Source: UN data, ComTrade

USA Overview
There are very few snail farms in the U.S as snails (including edible snails) are Imports of Snails, USA, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
considered to be invasive species. The USDA (U.S Department of Agriculture) has
strict regulations for snails and it is illegal for restaurants to not only import live
snails for human consumption but also to transport across state lines. World (P) 566
World (U) 356
Despite these restrictions, consumption of snails has risen over the last few years India (U) 200
and is estimated at 584 tonnes in 2020. Primarily consumed in restaurants, the Indonesia (P) 200
USDA restrictions present challenges, meaning that snails are likely served from a France (P) 171
can. Vietnam (U) 111
France (U) 103
Whilst Prepared snails are the main import to the market at an average price of South Korea (P) 95
$14.67 per kg, there are still large quantities of Unprepared with an average
Vietnam (P) 84
price of $6.58 per kg, which we might assume have had some level of added
Mexico (U) 33
value applied. France and Vietnam are two key markets as the U.S is importing
Nigeria (U) 17
both types of snails from these countries.
China (U) 16

The U.S imports both types from a number of different countries, therefore there Portugal (U) 14
may be an opportunity to supply what looks to be an open market. In addition China (P) 11 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760
there may be a foodservice opportunity for Irish snails to explore further.

Source: UN data, ComTrade

https://escargot-world.com/snail-farming-on-the-rise-in-the-usa-2020/
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/snail-farms-united-states
BELGIUM Overview
In 2020, consumption was estimated to be 371 tonnes and whilst lower than Imports of Snails, Belgium, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
some of the other countries featured, it is still a sizeable figure due to a
population of approximately 12 million people.
World (P) 247
Domestic production alone (662 tonnes Unprepared) surpasses domestic France (P) 230
consumption demand. Escargotiere de Warnant snail farm supplys a World (U) 127
considerable amount of the market with an annual output of 800,000 snails. France (U) 49
They have produced some interesting dishes with their snails including snail Indonesia (U) 40
profiteroles and a snail and beer pate in collaboaration with a local brewery. Netherlands (U) 14
Netherlands (P) 11
Belgium is the 5th largest importer of Prepared snails globally (average $13.16
Greece (U) 10
per kg) with the majority sourced from France ($14.89 per kg), however they are
Vietnam (U) 9
active in imports of both types.
Indonesia (P) 5
United Kingdom (U) 3
According to GTA data reported by Ireland, exports of 12 tonnes of Unprepared
Nigeria (U) 1
snails went to Belgium in 2021 but aren’t reported upon as imports. These are
likely being imported via France or possibly the Netherlands and are classified as Germany (U) 1

such. Whilst Belgium reported 3 tonnes of imports from the U.K in 2021 these Spain (P) 1
(P) Prepared HS 160558
likely originated from another origin, since the U.K reported no direct exports to (U) Unprepared HS 030760

Belgium in the same year.

Source: UN data, ComTrade
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/why-you-should-visit-a-snail-farm-in-belgium-seriously/
VIETNAM Overview
In 2020, consumption was estimated to be 224 tonnes and with production Vietnam, Imports of Snails, 2021
(Volume Tonnes)
estimated at 384 tonnes.

In 2021, Vietnam reported imports of 126 tonnes of Unprepared snails from World (U) 172
Ireland, representing 73% of total Unprepared imports. This was was reported
to have increased 12 fold from 10.27 tonnes in 2020 but fell from $4.65 per kg Ireland (U) 126
in 2020 to $4 per kg in 2021. However, there is some discrepancy between World (P) 37.80
what is reported by Ireland in terms of exports to Vietnam (74.7 tonnes).
South Korea (P) 37.38
Imports from India halved compared to 2020 (down from 42 tonnes), paving India (U) 21
the way for a new supplier to the market, the United States (20 tonnes in
2021). United States (U) 20

Vietnam (U) 5
Imports of Prepared snails dramatically fell from 83.6 tonnes in 2020 to just
37.8 tonnes in 2021. The overwhelming majority of which sourced from South Indonesia (U) 1

Korea (at $2.54 per kg) and the small remainder sourced from France (at $6.31 France (P) 0.41
per kg). In addition, the U.S reported Prepared snail exports of 3.8 tonnes
Japan (U) 0.08
(appendix 5) to Vietnam in 2021, which is not reflected in the Vietnam’s import (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760
reporting.

Source: UN data, ComTrade

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/why-you-should-visit-a-snail-farm-in-belgium-seriously/
New Product Launches
January 2019-2022
Overview
•There have been approximately 30 new product launches over the last 3 years throughout Europe.

•Launches have taken place in 11 countries.

•Half of all launches have been launched in France.

•14 products have been launched under private label (almost 50%), with the remainder under private brands.

•The tray format is most popular with 16 launches.

•The majority of products target the sharing occasion (i.e. Hors d'oeuvres/Canapes) and are still very traditional.

•There are 3 core themes to these product launches (Canapes/ Sharing Trays/ Flavoured sauce or brine)

Source: Mintel GNPD Snails Jan 2019- Jan 2022

Hors D’oeuvres/ Canapes

€4.50 / $5.09 160g €15.95 / $17.93

370 g

€3.75 / $4.17
190 g

€3.99 / $4.50 170g

€3.95 / $4.48 190 g €2.99 / $3.62 170 g

Source: Mintel GNPD Snails Jan 2019- Jan 2022

Sharing Tray

€5.60 / $6.35 89 g €5.90 / $6.72 202 g

€5.95 / $6.79 72 g €1.95 / $2.19 89g

€2.99 / $3.40 65g

BYN13.95 / $5.65 / €4.88 BYN5.93 / $2.91 / €2.56

€15.90 / $19.49 624 g €7.95 / $8.75 220 g

Source: Mintel GNPD Snails Jan 2019- Jan 2022

Flavoured Sauce/ Brine

Eastern style sauce Dijon style sauce

UAH169.00 / $6.06 / €5.05 UAH359.00 / $13.31 / €11.77

DKK60.00 / $9.63 / €8.07 110 - 115 g 180 g 300 g

Source: Mintel GNPD Snails Jan 2019- Jan 2022

Looking Ahead
 An undersupplied global market presents opportunity, however the challenge is that in the key EU markets for consumption,

1 supply is often monopolised.

For existing trade in these key markets of consumption, relationship development may help to facilitate growth in contract volumes. Supply may also
be boosted by the reopening of the HoReCa industry across the continent, particularly in those markets whereby snail consumption is primarily within
the foodservice channel (i.e. Spain and Portugal).

A number of alternative export markets continue to develop and appear to be more open and competitive than the key EU

2
markets (FR, ES, IT).

Whilst these alternative markets are smaller in demand, they may be better suited if one or two contracts could be secured for total farm output,
given our domestic output and high transportation costs. Markets such as the US, Vietnam and Belgium to a certain extent could offer potential.

The U.K are similar to our domestic industry in that they export more than they import. Given the impact of Brexit and trade

3 challenges, an import substitution opportunity may exist in those markets whereby both Ireland and U.K are supplying.
France and Spain were the key export markets for the U.K in 2019, however they also exported to Portugal, Italy and Belgium. Domestic supply is also
exported to these key EU markets and may crossover at certain points within the supply chain but Ireland could offer favourable trade agreements.

45
 The processed, prepared and value- add snails market offers considerable value however, the Irish industry is restricted by a
lack of processing capability.

4 Retail products remain traditional and are more limited in markets outside of France (whereby good presence of Helix Aspersa Muller in
value-add products). This could present two opportunities; 1) It may be easier to break in with “me-too products” 2) There is an opportunity to
innovate and disrupt. Either way, investment will be required in the development of processing facilities or to potentially partner with an international
processor. Whilst there are still new products launched, it must be noted that in some markets (i.e. Spain & UAE) there is evidence of category
contraction for these types of products in retail.

The snail farming process in Ireland is essentially a completely organic process however, there is no certification system in
place for Irish snail farms.

5 The development of an Organic certification scheme for heliculture would offer a point of differentiation in the international marketplace particularly
in France whereby the majority of snails consumed are wild picked snails and also due to the well developed organic food and drink market. An
Organic certification could help to underpin a more premium price positioning and seek to command a higher price per kg.

The domestic market should continue to be developed both for consumption but also as an industry so that farming

6 practices can improve, scale and evolve.

In the longer term, larger scale farming may present opportunities not only for larger supply volumes and contracts but for processing
and innovation whereby the whole snail may be utilised e.g. eggs for Caviar or snail slime for cosmetic products.

46
Appendix
Appendix 1 Appendix 2

Exports of Snails to France, 2021

(Volume Tonnes) Exports of Snails to Spain, 2021
Romania (P) 2233.0 (Volume Tonnes)
Belgium (P) 667.0
Turkey (P) 474.5
Turkey (U) 422.3 Morocco (U) 9279.59
Lithuania (U) 408.0
Romania (U) 387.0
Lithuania (U) 164
Belgium (U) 378.0 Lithuania (P) 117
Ireland (U) 329.0
Greece (P) 290.0
Morocco (P) 108
Bosnia & Herzegovina (P) 225.8 France (U) 74
Czech Republic (P) 198.0 Ukraine (U) 38.101
Czech Republic (U) 185.0
Belarus (U) 94.7 Greece (U) 17
Serbia (U) 74.0 Italy (P) 17
Indonesia (U) 61.7
United Kingdom (U) 45.1
Italy (P) 17
Poland (U) 32.0 Italy (U) 9.223
Hungary (U) 28.0 United Kingdom (U) 5.579
Lithuania (P) 27.0
Bulgaria (U) 16.0 Netherlands (P) 3
Netherlands (U) 11.0 Czech Republic (U) 2
Portugal (U) 10.0
Bulgaria (P) 10.0 France (P) 2
Portugal (P) 8.0 Netherlands (U) 1
Ireland (P) 6.0
Germany (U) 5.0
Ireland (U) 1
Bosnia & Herzegovina (U) 4.4 Germany (U) 1
Serbia (P) 4.3 Indonesia (U) 0.881
Taiwan (U) 3.0
Spain (U) 3.0 Turkey (U) 0.3
Vietnam (U) 2.1
(P) Prepared HS 160558 Thailand (U) 0.177
Netherlands (P) 1.0
(U) Unprepared HS 030760 (P) Prepared HS 160558
Thailand (U) 0.3
(U) Unprepared HS 030760
Appendix 3

Exports of Snails to Italy, 2021

(Volume Tonnes)

Spain (P) 82
Croatia (U) 45
Turkey (U) 39.15
Serbia (U) 38.346
Bosnia & Herzegovina (U) 30.51
Spain (U) 25
Turkey (P) 22.932
Romania (U) 22
Lithuania (U) 21
Bosnia & Herzegovina (P) 20.61
Slovenia (U) 18
France (P) 16
Czech Republic (U) 10
France (U) 7
Greece (U) 4
Belgium (U) 4
Lithuania (P) 4
Netherlands (U) 1
Thailand (U) 0.305
Switzerland (U) 0.28
Singapore (P) 0.192
Indonesia (U) 0.137
Indonesia (P) 0.016 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760
Appendix 4 Appendix 5

Exports of Snails to Portugal, 2021 Exports of Snails to USA, 2021

(Volume Tonnes) (Volume Tonnes)

France (P) 164.0

Morocco (U) 2219.4
Vietnam (U) 160.0
Ireland (U) 55.0 Mexico (U) 87.1
Indonesia (U) 84.7
Spain (P) 36.0
Cote d'Ivoire (U) 75.3
Portugal (U) 12.0
Lithuania (P) 8.0
Netherlands (P) 9.0
France (P) 7.0 Belgium (P) 6.0
Portugal (P) 4.0
Spain (U) 3.0
France (U) 2.0
Italy (P) 2.0
Indonesia (U) 0.2
Thailand (U) 1.5
United Kingdom (U) 0.1 Ghana (U) 1.2
Japan (U) 0.2
Thailand (U) 0.1
Taiwan (U) 0.2
(P) Prepared HS 160558 (P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760 (U) Unprepared HS 030760
Appendix 6 Appendix 7

Exports of Snails to Belgium, 2021 Exports of Snails to Vietnam, 2021

(Volume Tonnes) (Volume Tonnes)

France (P) 218

Indonesia (U) 80.1
Greece (P) 36 Ireland (U) 74.7
Romania (U) 33
Ireland (U) 12
Netherlands (U) 12
Cote d'Ivoire (U) 8.2
India (U) 17.1
Greece (U) 7
Spain (U) 5.2
France (U) 5
Spain (U) 5
Vietnam (U) 4.8 United States (P) 3.8
Indonesia (P) 4.8
Netherlands (P) 4
Bulgaria (U) 2
Portugal (U) 1
Germany (U) 1 Indonesia (U) 0.6
Portugal (P) 1
Spain (P) 0.173
(P) Prepared HS 160558
(U) Unprepared HS 030760

51