Snails market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the snail market in Northern Africa expanded in volume from 5.3 thousand tons to 9.7 thousand tons. Growth was uneven, with a notable contraction to 5.6 thousand tons in 2021 followed by strong recoveries of 38% in 2022 and 25% in 2023.

In value terms, the market grew more sharply, rising from 5.9 million USD to 13.6 million USD over the same period. The most significant increase occurred in 2023, when the market's value jumped by 52%, indicating a substantial rise in average prices or a shift toward higher-value segments.

Domestic production increased modestly from 17.8 thousand tons to 18.5 thousand tons, while trade flows—with exports consistently surpassing imports—shaped the volume available for domestic consumption.

Production snails in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of snails, 2017-2020

World map of production of snails, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Africa produced 18,040 tons of snails, representing a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Northern Africa's snail production volume declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 20,710 thousand US dollars, which is 2.8% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 18.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 21,299 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports snails from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Northern Africa exported 11,040 tons of snails, marking a gradual year-over-year rise of 4.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 3.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 10,620 tons, while the maximum was in 2018 at 12,543 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 15.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain accounted for 78.6% of Northern Africa's total snail exports in kind, with the remainder distributed among a variety of smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Northern Africa's snail exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 12,674 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight decline of 1.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.1%, with an annualized rate of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 13,630 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 17.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Italy were the dominant buyers of snails from Northern Africa, together accounting for 84.5% of total exports in value terms, with other destinations each holding relatively small shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports snails to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 191-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Northern Africa imported 0.5 tons of snails, marking a sharp decrease of 99.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 92 tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 78.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and France remained the primary sources in the geographical structure of imports in kind, with a combined share of 64.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Volumes peaked in 2018 and dropped to a minimum in 2020, representing a 9-fold shift. In 2020, snail shipments to Northern Africa from abroad totaled 27 thousand US dollars, which is 74.3% less than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 241 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 164.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and Italy played leading roles in the value of snail imports to Northern Africa, with shares of 52.2%, 10.4%, and 3.9%, respectively, jointly accounting for 66.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020