Andalusia’s appetite for snails grows, fueled by Moroccan imports

Southern Spain’s Andalusia brought a staggering 5,000 tons of snails from Morocco in 2023 valued at €3.8 million, according to the Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture, as reported by Surinenglish.

This trend continues in 2024, with imports in the first two months already exceeding the same period last year by a significant 88%.

 While Andalusia enjoys a growing snail consumption rate (exceeding 18,000 tons estimated in 2020), domestic snail farming lags behind. As of April 2024, the region has 211 registered snail farms, with Seville leading the pack (54 farms). However, the Ministry acknowledges the possibility of some farm closures.

The popularity of Moroccan snails can be attributed to a specific variety, the “blanquillo,” known for its high quality and strong appeal in many Andalusian regions, surpassing even the local Spanish snail, according to Seville-based businessman Manuel Felipe Lopez of “Caracoles” company.