Snail Market Size, Share, Trends & Growth Opportunity [2030]

Report Description

Snail Market Outlook

The global snail market was valued at USD 549.7 Million in 2019 and is anticipated to reach USD 766.6 Million by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. Snail consumption is common in many countries around the world. Snail ingestion and cultivation are widespread in France, the US, Turkey, China, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, and countries in Africa such as Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana.

Cooked snail, commonly known as Escargot, is a French delicacy and is consumed in many parts of Europe. Cornu aspersum, which is usually known as Helix Aspersa or garden snail, is a species of land snail and terrestrial mollusk in the Helicidae family.

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Snail Market Outlook

The top producer countries of the snail are Morocco, Spain, Indonesia, China, and Romania. Morocco has the highest production with, production levels increased by approximately 4.8% annually from 2017-2020. The other countries also indicated moderate growth in terms of snail production across the globe. In 2019, Spain held approximately 28%, of the share of global snail production in the world.

Snail Market Dynamics

Health Benefits Associated with Snail

Snails are rich in iron and calcium and low in fat and cholesterol as opposed to other animal protein sources such as pigs, cattle, and goats. They are eco-friendly, unlike pigs and poultry, neither the snail nor its droppings are offensively odorous. They; therefore, are a healthy choice as table meat and are increasingly recommended by nutritionists, particularly for the elderly and those having chronic diseases that require modified diets.

Recently, the demand for snail meat has increased, due to high consumer awareness about the consequences of high levels of cholesterol and potential association with increased incidences of cardiovascular and other chronic conditions. Hence, increasing awareness regarding health benefits from snails is expected to propel the snail market in the coming years.

Omnichannel Presence of Market Players

Existing players are creating an omnichannel presence in the market to increase their sales globally. A majority of snails are exported by Morocco and Lithuania to Spain and France. Companies in the region use offline channels to market and sell their products to local buyers and use online channels to market and sell products to international buyers.

France, Italy, and several other countries in Europe produce and export snails. China and certain countries in Asia Pacific have produce a large number of snail and snail products, which they export worldwide, to countries such as Australia, using an omnichannel presence. This, in turn, drives the market.

Extinction of Snails to Challenge Market Growth

Snails are a good source of nutrients; however, they can be poisonous if not disinfected or washed properly before cooking. Freshwater snails are considered small yet deadly, as their consumption is responsible for more than 2,00,000 deaths every year. Freshwater snails carry schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that infects nearly 250 million people worldwide, mostly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Snails can transmit diseases such as meningitis. Increasing awareness regarding health risks associated with snail consumption is expected to impede the snail market during the forecast period.

Snails Market Regulatory Outlook

Snail farmers are expected to adhere to strict regulations surrounding food safety and hygiene, which are summarized by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on their website.  Food hygiene legislation is the responsibility of local authority environmental health officers. Snail farmers are expected to contact the local authority for information about compliance before they commence trading.

Food Standards Scotland published guidelines for snail farmers in 2014 about producing, harvesting, and importing land snails for human consumption. Under EC Regulation 853/2004, each premise where food is prepared, such as a building where snails are processed, must be approved as an establishment, where products of animal origin are handled, unless an exemption is applied

Segmental Outlook

The global snail market is segmented on the basis of products types, breed types, distribution channels, end-users, and regions. On the basis of product types, the snail market is categorized as fresh snails, canned snails, frozen snails, and others. The fresh snail segment was estimated to expand at a significant CAGR of 3.7% from 2020 to 2027, owing to increasing use of fresh snails as nutritious food.

Fresh snails are preferred over canned globally, however, in the US the main problem is that it is illegal for restaurants or food companies to import fresh snails. Thus, canned snails are majorly consumed in the US. Frozen snails and canned snails are available in supermarkets across the Mediterranean region. Frozen and canned snails are traded in the region where fresh snails are not found and cannot be transported.

Based on breed types, the snail market is segregated into helix aspersa, helix pomatia, helix lucorum, and others. The helix aspersa segment is further sub-segmented into helix aspersa maxima and helix aspersa muller. The helix aspersa segment accounts for a significant share of the market and is anticipated to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. 

The helix aspersa segment held a key share of the market owing to its wide availability and high demand globally. The sub-segment helix aspersa maxima is projected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period. The medium shell size of helix aspersa maxima is usually preferred by consumers. Helix aspersa maxima are voracious and fertile; however, they extract lesser mucin than helix pomatia and achatina fulica.

On the basis of end-users, the market is divided into restaurants and retail. The retail segment constituted a significant market share of in 2019, due to increasing demand for ready-to-eat canned snails globally. The adoption of the online distribution channels by retailers is expected to boost the overall sales of snails the in-retail segment. Increasing demand for snail-based cuisine in Europe and the US is anticipated to propel the restaurant segment during the forecast period.

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Based on distribution channels, the market is bifurcated into online and offline. The offline segment accounted for a market share of 66.5% in 2020, due to rise in consumption of snails in restaurants and other places. Many businesses with an online and offline presence (physical stores) view the two channels as a means of increasing sales and revenue and expand their business globally.

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Regional Outlook

Based on regions, the global Snail market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Regions like the Europe and Asia Pacific are propelling in the Snail market, mainly due to high demand of snails in restaurants. Europe is a promising region for the market. The region constituted 68.0% share of the market in 2020.

Demand for snails in the region is expected to rise, due to increasing consumption of canned and frozen snails in Spain and other countries in Europe. The market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period, due to increasing use of snail as protein-rich food in the region.

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Key Benefits for Industry Participants & Stakeholders

• In-depth Analysis of the global Snail market
• Historical, Current and Projected Market Size in terms of Value and Volume
• Potential & Niche Segments and Regions Exhibiting Promising Growth Covered
• Industry Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Covered in the Study
• Recent Industry Trends and Developments
• Competitive Landscape & Strategies of Key Players
• Neutral Perspective on Global Snail Market Performance