# How to optimize real-time data ingestion in Snowflake and Iceberg

DevFeed: [How to optimize real-time data ingestion in Snowflake and Iceberg](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-to-optimize-real-time-data-ingestion-in-snowflake-and-iceberg-12725.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.redpanda.com/blog/optimize-real-time-ingestion-snowflake-iceberg>)

Author: Sesethu Mhlana

Published: 2026-01-21T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Redpanda](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/redpanda.md>)

Topics: [real-time](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/real-time.md>), [Apache Iceberg](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/apache-iceberg.md>), [Streaming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/streaming.md>), [Kafka](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/kafka.md>), [data-governance](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data-governance.md>), [systems](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/systems.md>)

Tags: [cost](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cost.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data.md>), [data-governance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-governance.md>), [high-availability](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-availability.md>), [infrastructure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/infrastructure.md>), [integration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/integration.md>), [kafka](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/kafka.md>), [monitoring](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/monitoring.md>), [performance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/performance.md>), [pipelines](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pipelines.md>), [real-time](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/real-time.md>), [schema](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/schema.md>), [storage](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/storage.md>), [streaming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/streaming.md>)

## AI overview

This guide explains how architectural inefficiencies in real-time data ingestion can increase Snowflake credits, storage costs, and query delays. It focuses on streaming pipelines involving Apache Iceberg and describes the infrastructure overhead of Kafka deployments, including brokers, coordination services, connectors, schema registries, and monitoring.

## Source excerpt

Learn about the hidden costs of real-time data ingestion and practical strategies to optimize your streaming infrastructure.