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Commercializing Farming Of Snails

This may seem unnatural for humans to consume snails as they are considered to be vegetation eating creatures and are found crawling on walls leaving the slimy trace. Snails can be farmed for making profits whether in large scale or small scale at family level. Snail farming may require law capital investment which could yield high profits.

STEPS TO FOLLOW IN STARTING SNAIL FARMING

Just like in any other farming practice, it is important to know exactly where to start. In snail farming it is important to outline these;
 Decide on the snail species that you want to farm.
 The set up for farmland housing.
 Collect or purchase the snail species to be farmed.
 Feeding and rearing of the snails.
 Harvesting and selling the snails.

SnailPEN / Housing

A place near your house with the right kind of soil and the right amount of water for snails to live and grow will be great. The materials to build a pen for the snail can be grown in;
 Oil drum
 Old tank
 Car tyres
 Hutch boxes
 Mini paddocks
 Trench pens
 Free range pens

Farming System

There are different systems used in heliciculture which may be ideal for the farmer;
 Intensive system – the entire production cycle is carried out in indoor environments where temperatures, humidity, light and feed are strictly controlled.

They are closed in plastic tunnel houses, greenhouses or other buildings with controlled climate.

Extensive system

This is an outdoor farming that replicates the snail’s natural habits hence environmental conditions are controlled. The snails feed on plants provided by the farmer in the pen and there is low animal density.

Semi-extensive or mixed system – snails are reared partly indoors and partly outdoors. First, the egg laying and hatching occurs in controlled indoor environment; thereafter, snails are removed to outside pens when they are between 6 – 8 week s until they grow to maturity.

Gestation

During the gestation process, snails bury their eggs on the soil and hatching may be as quickly as 24 hours or takes up to 4 weeks. The snail species gestation period may last between 2 – 4 weeks.

Natural Feed For Snails

Snails are vegetarians; the cheapest way to feed them is by collecting rejected but recommended food from marketplaces.

At the end of any market day, some perishable vegetables and fruits still useful for snail consumption can be collected from the dumping areas.

This would reduce the cost and labour of buying or cultivating vegetables and fruits only to feed snails.
 Cocoyam leaves
 Paw-paw leaves, fruit and fruit peels stand out as excellent snail feed
 Oil palm – the mesocarp (fleshy layer) of the oil palm
 Supplementary vitamins
 Supplementary calcium.
 Supplementary minerals
 Water.

Selecting Breeding Stocks

Use sexually mature snails, weighing at least 100-125 g, as initial breeding stock. Farming should preferably start at the onset of the wet season; because that is the time snails normally start to breed.

Until snail farms become self-sustaining, farmers may have to collect snails from the wild or buy them cheaply in the peak season and fatten them in captivity in the off season.

Breeding stock must be selected in the wet season preceding aestivation, based on the following attributes:

 Fecundity (expected number of eggs, based on numbers laid in previous seasons)
 Hatchability (percentage of eggs likely to hatch out of the total number laid)
 Establishment rate (percentage of snails likely to survive after hatching)
 Growth rate Shell strength

Types Of Edible Snails

The edible snails are mostly in Africa, Europe and North America, and other countries also practice snail farming. There are different local names for snails (correspondence language within the parentheses).

Achatina achatina

(giant snail, tiger snail) snails are reputedly the largest land snails in the world. Although usually much smaller, they can grow up to 30 cm in body length and 25 cm in shell height.

How To Raise Snails Average adult shell length is 18 cm, with an average diameter of 9 cm.

The conically shaped, fairly pointed shell is brownish with a characteristic stripe pattern (hence the name tiger snail).

Archachatina marginata

 (big black snail, giant African land snail) is a large snail, generally growing to about 20 cm and a live weight of 500 grams. The shell is much less pointed than the Achatina species, the roundness being especially obvious in young animals. Striation on the shell may give the appearance of a ‘woven’ texture. The head of the snail is dark-grey; its foot is a lighter shade.

Achatina fulica

(garden snail, foolish snail) is a large snail, reaching 20 cm in length or occasionally more, with a shell length up to 20 cm and a maximum diameter of 12 cm. The conical, spiralled shell is predominantly brown with weak, darker banded markings across the spiral. Colouration is highly variable, depending on diet. A mature snail averages 250 g in weight.

Hibernation

Snails can go without food for eight months when they hibernate due to the weather conditions. They hibernate in cold season (winter) and also when they sleep in warmer seasons (called summer’s sleep).

Preparation And Processing Snails For The Market

The snails need to be purged for a period of three days followed by two days of starvation to completely clean out the snail’s digestive system; this is in preparation for human consumption.

Snail purging system – After selecting and harvesting the snails suitable for the market (between 30 mm and 40 mm) they are placed in very clean containers (large plastic buckets with a tight fitting lid are suitable for this process). These containers will need to have several holes drilled into the bottom edge to allow drainage of any waste materials.

The snails are turned into escargots.

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Here are 10 frequently asked questions on commercializing the farming of snails, covering profitability, practical requirements, and market opportunities.

Understanding the Business Potential

1. Is snail farming (heliciculture) a profitable business?

Yes, snail farming is considered a highly profitable venture with significant global market potential. The global snail market was projected to surpass USD 1.58 billion by 2032 -3. Profitability is driven by high demand, relatively low startup costs compared to other livestock, and the ability to sell multiple products like meat, breeding stock, and slime -1-4. For example, in Nigeria, a small-scale farm with 200-500 snails can yield a net profit of ₦160,000 to ₦1.2 million annually -1. However, success depends on proper management, training, and understanding the snail’s biology -5-7.

2. How much capital is needed to start a commercial snail farm?

Startup costs are flexible and can be scaled to your ambition. For a small-scale operation, you can begin with an investment as low as ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 (approximately $30 to $120) using locally sourced materials -1-9. A medium-scale farm with better infrastructure can require ₦200,000 to ₦1 million -1. For a large-scale, high-tech operation with automated systems, initial investment can range from ₦1 million to ₦5 million or more -1. A high-tech closed-loop system in Vietnam for a different species (apple snails) required an investment of over 2.2 billion VND (about $90,000) , showing the range of possible investment levels -6.

3. What are the main products and revenue streams in snail farming?

Commercialization isn’t just about selling live snails for meat. Farmers can diversify into several value chains:

• Snail Meat (Escargot): Sold live, fresh, or processed (e.g., frozen, canned) to hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets -1-3.
• Breeding Stock: Selling healthy, mature snails to new farmers starting their own ventures -1-7.
• Snail Slime (Mucin): Extracted for use in high-value cosmetics (anti-aging creams, serums) and pharmaceuticals (wound healing) -1-5-8.
• Value-Added Products: Selling processed snails, snail shells (for calcium), or even offering training services -1-7.

Technical and Operational Questions

4. Which snail species are best for commercial farming?

The best species are typically the fast-growing, large-bodied snails. The Giant African Land Snails are the most commonly farmed. Key species include:

• Archachatina marginata (Giant West African Snail): Highly valued for its large size, high meat yield, and hardiness, making it ideal for beginners in West Africa -1-9.
• Achatina achatina (Giant African Snail): Known for its very large size and adaptability -1-4.
• Achatina fulica: Although smaller, it matures faster and reproduces more frequently, offering quicker returns -1-4.
• For temperate climates, species like Cornu aspersum (garden snail) are commonly farmed -2. It’s crucial to select a species that suits your local climate and market demand -1.

5. What are the ideal housing and environmental conditions?

Snails require a specific environment to thrive. The key conditions include:

• Environment: Cool, moist, and shaded, with protection from direct sunlight, wind, and predators -7-9.
• Temperature: An ideal range of 20°C to 25°C -4.
• Humidity: High humidity levels between 70% and 90% are essential -4.
• Housing: Can range from simple wooden hutches or pens made from local materials to more sophisticated greenhouses or concrete pens. The enclosure must be secure, well-drained, and easy to clean -1-2-9.
• Substrate: The floor should be lined with loamy soil (about 6 inches deep) to retain moisture and allow for natural burrowing and egg-laying -7-9.

6. What do snails eat, and how do I manage their nutrition?

Snails are herbivores, and a balanced diet is crucial for growth and reproduction.

• Primary Food: A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and leaves such as pawpaw, pumpkin, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, banana, and waterleaf -3-8-9.
• Calcium Supplements: Essential for strong shell development. This can be provided through crushed eggshells, limestone, or commercial calcium mixes -4-7-8.
• Feeding Practices: Feed in the evening or early morning, as snails are nocturnal. Remove any uneaten food to prevent rot and disease -9.
• Forbidden Feed: Never feed snails manure, decomposing organic matter, or salty/spicy food scraps -2.

7. How long does it take for snails to mature, and how do they reproduce?

• Maturity Period: Snails typically take between 6 to 12 months to reach market size, depending on the species and farming conditions -1-4-9.
• Reproduction: Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs. After mating, both snails can lay eggs -5-9.
• Egg Laying: A mature snail can lay between 80 to 120 eggs in a single clutch, several times a year. Eggs are laid in the soil and hatch within 3-4 weeks -9.

Navigating the Market and Regulations

8. Where and how can I market and sell my snail products?

There is a ready market for snail products through various channels:

• Local Markets: Selling directly to consumers, especially during festive seasons -5-9.
• Hospitality Industry: Supplying hotels, restaurants, and fast-food outlets that feature snail dishes on their menus -1-3-4.
• Direct-to-Consumer: Utilizing online platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and food supply groups to reach individual buyers -4-9.
• Export Markets: Selling to exporters or directly to international buyers, though this requires navigating regulations like those from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) -5-10.
• Processed Products: Marketing value-added items like frozen snail meat, canned escargot, or snail slime for the cosmetics industry -1-5.

9. What are the key challenges in commercial snail farming?

Aspiring commercial farmers should be aware of potential hurdles:

• Lack of Technical Knowledge: Many failures are due to inadequate training and a poor understanding of snail biology and proper husbandry -5-8-10.
• Environmental Control: Maintaining the ideal temperature and humidity can be challenging and costly, especially in regions with extreme weather -8.
• Pests and Predators: Snails are vulnerable to predators like rats, birds, ants, and insects, requiring secure housing -8-9.
• Disease Management: While not as prone to disease as other livestock, snails can suffer from outbreaks in unhygienic conditions. Signs of illness include inactivity and excessive mucus secretion -8.
• Access to Quality Breeding Stock: Finding healthy, genetically superior snails to start your farm can be difficult -8.
• Capital for Value Addition: Extracting snail slime for cosmetics requires significant capital investment in specialized machinery -5-10.

10. Are there specific regulations for farming and processing snails for food?

Yes, especially if you plan to process and sell snails commercially. Food safety is paramount.

• Regulatory Bodies: In many countries, you must comply with national food safety authorities, such as the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) -2 or similar bodies elsewhere.
• Key Requirements:
  • Premises: Physical segregation between snail production and food processing areas -2.
  • Purging: Harvested snails must be placed in clean chambers for 4-7 days without food to empty their digestive tracts before processing -2.
  • Processing: The hepato-pancreas (digestive gland) should be removed before cooking, as it can accumulate heavy metals. Snails must be thoroughly cooked to eliminate parasites and harmful microorganisms -2.
  • Hygiene: Strict personnel hygiene, clean water, and regular facility cleaning are mandatory -2.