In Tunisia, snails inch toward replacing red meat as people turn to cheaper protein

AKOUDA, Tunisia (AP) — In fields outside their hometown in central Tunisia, an increasing number of unemployed young men are seeking a new way to make a living, picking snails off of rocks and leaves and collecting them in large plastic bags to take to the local market to be sold.

More and more people, they say, are buying the shelled wanderers as the price of market staples remains high and out of reach for many families.

“They're profitable, beneficial and quite in demand,” said Karim, a 29-year-old snail seller from the village of Akouda said.

Snails have been consumed in Tunisia for more than seven millenia, according to research published last year in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. In today’s world considered mostly a bistro delicacy, they’re again gaining traction in Tunisia as a practical alternative to red meat — a protein-rich substitute that pairs perfectly with salt, spices, and bold seasonings.

The snails are a lifeline for some in Tunisia, where youth unemployment now hovers above 40% and inflation remains high, three years after spiking to its highest levels in decades. A lack of opportunity has fueled social discontent throughout the country and, increasingly, migration to Europe.

Low in fat and high in iron, calcium and magnesium, snails offer both nutritional value and economic relief. In a country where unemployment runs high and median wages remain low, they cost about half as much as beef per kilogram and often less when sold by the bowl.

“Snails are better for cooking than lamb. If lamb meat costs 60 dinars ($19.30), a bowl of snails is five dinars ($1.60),” a man named Mohammed said at the Akouda market.

As the price of meat and poultry continues to rise, more Tunisians are turning to affordable, alternative sources of protein. Beyond their economic appeal, these substitutes are also drawing interest for their environmental benefits. Scientists say they offer a more sustainable solution, producing far fewer carbon emissions and avoiding the deforestation linked to traditional livestock farming.

Wahiba Dridi, who serves snails at her restaurant in Tunis, cooks them in a traditional fashion with peppers and spices. She said they were popular throughout this year's Ramadan, which ended last week. Though Tunisian Muslims traditionally eat red meat at the meals during which they break their daily fasts, a kilogram of snails costs less than 28 Tunisian dinars ($9) compared to beef, which costs 55 dinars per kilogram ($18).

“If people knew the value of snails they would eat them all year long," Dridi said.

Snails are served in a stew for a family to break their Ramadan fast, in Sfax, Tunisia, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

A Tunisian woman prepares a meal of snails to break her Ramadan fast, in Sfax, Tunisia, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Snails are cooked in a stew for a family to break their Ramadan fast, in Sfax, Tunisia, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Snails are displayed to be sold on the side of a highway, in Sousse, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Customers buy snails at a weekly market in Enfidha, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

A Tunisian woman prepares a meal of snails to break her Ramadan fast, in Sfax, Tunisia, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Customers buy snails at a weekly market in Enfidha, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Snails are displayed to be sold on the side of a highway, in Sousse, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

A farmer collects snails to be sold for customers in a mountainous area near Sousse, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Snails are collected in a bg to be sold to customers, in a mountainous area near Sousse, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

A farmer collects snails to be sold for customers in a mountainous area near Sousse, Tunisia, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

A Tunisian woman eats a meal of snails to break her Ramadan fast, in Sfax, Tunisia, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and most of the Milwaukee Bucks’ other top players will sit out Sunday afternoon’s regular-season finale with Detroit as both teams already are locked into their respective playoff positions.

The Bucks are seeded fifth and the Pistons sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Bucks will face Indiana in a rematch of a 2024 first-round series the Pacers won 4-2, while Detroit takes on the New York Knicks in the Pistons’ first playoff appearance since 2019.

Milwaukee clinched the No. 5 seed after winning 125-119 at Detroit on Friday.

Antetokounmpo was ruled out for Sunday’s game with tendinopathy in his left shoulder. Other Bucks ruled out for Sunday’s game after being available Friday include Brook Lopez (rest), Kevin Porter Jr. (right wrist sprain), Bobby Portis (rest), Taurean Prince (right knee patella tendinopathy), Gary Trent Jr. (right knee bruise) and Ryan Rollins (left shoulder).

Antetokounmpo finishes the regular season with 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. He joins Wilt Chamberlain (1959-66) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-73) as the only players ever to average at least 30 points and 10 rebounds per game in at least three consecutive seasons.

Pistons ruled out for Sunday’s game include Isaiah Stewart (right knee inflammation) and Ausar Thompson (patellar tendinopathy in left knee). Stewart also didn't appear in Friday's game, though he did play Thursday in a 115-106 victory over the Knicks.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is fouled by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) while trying to take a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans' Jamal Cain, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans' Jamal Cain (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)