How to Start a Snail Farming Business in Nigeria (Beginner’s Guide)

Snail farming is one of the most profitable agribusinesses in Nigeria. Why?

Because snails are: In high demand at restaurants, hotels, and markets, easy to raise with low startup cost, a great export product (Nigerian snails are sold internationally)

If you’re looking for a low-risk business with big profit potential, snail farming is a smart choice. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to start a successful snail farming business in Nigeria. Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

1. Choose the Right Snail Breed

Not all snails grow fast or sell well. To maximize profit, choose one of these high-yield snail breeds:

Achatina Achatina (Giant African Snail)

Fast growth rate
Can grow up to 500g – 1kg
Lays over 1,000 eggs per year

Achatina Fulica

Smaller than Achatina Achatina
Lays more eggs but grows slower

Archachatina Marginata (Big Black Snail)

Most expensive breed (sells for higher prices)
Grows up to 1.5kg per snail
High demand in local and international markets

Best Choice for Beginners? Achatina Achatina – they grow fast and are easy to manage.

2. Set Up a Snail Farm (Housing & Environment)

Snails need a cool, moist, and shaded environment to grow fast.

Types of Snail Housing:

1. Concrete Pen (Best for Large-Scale Farming)

Build a low-walled pen with wire mesh covering
Keeps snails safe from predators & theft

2. Snail Box (Best for Small-Scale Farming)

Use a wooden box with wire netting for air circulation
Perfect for backyard snail farming

3. Free-Range Snail Farming (For Large Landowners)

Snails roam in a fenced, natural environment
They grow bigger but need protection from predators

Housing Tips:

Keep the soil moist : snails thrive in damp environments, just forget about cleans environment to make them safe.
Avoid direct sunlight (too much heat kills snails, so try to make a space to let breeze in.
Use sandy-loamy soil (good for burrowing and egg-laying). So important.

3. Get Snails for Your Farm

You can get snails from:

Local markets (buy mature, healthy snails)
Existing snail farms (they sell breeder snails)
Collecting from the wild (best done during the rainy season)

Pro Tip: Buy at least 50–100 snails to start small.

4. Feeding Your Snails for Faster Growth

Snails eat natural, organic food, making feeding cheap and easy.

Best Foods for Snails:

Vegetables (pawpaw leaves, cabbage, lettuce)
Fruits (banana, mango, pawpaw, watermelon)
Calcium sources (egg shells, crushed bones, limestone) – helps shell growth

Pro Tip: Snails eat at night, so feed them in the evening.

5. Snail Reproduction & Breeding

Snails are hermaphrodites (each snail has male and female organs), but they still need to mate to lay eggs.

Breeding Process:

Snails mate & lay eggs in the soil (30–100 eggs per batch).
After 21–40 days, eggs hatch into baby snails.
Baby snails need moist soil and calcium-rich food to grow fast.

Pro Tip: If you want faster growth, separate baby snails into a nursery pen for better care.

6. Harvesting & Selling Snails

Snails mature in 6–12 months, depending on their breed and feeding.

When to Harvest:

When snails reach full size (500g–1.5kg)
When their shell lip hardens (this shows full maturity)

Where to Sell Snails in Nigeria:

Local markets
Restaurants & hotels
Supermarkets & food stores
Export (Europe, USA, Asia have high demand)

Pro Tip: Big snails sell for higher prices. Avoid harvesting too early.

7. Cost & Profit Potential of Snail Farming

Startup Cost (Small Scale)

Snail pen setup – ₦10,000 – ₦50,000
Buying snails – ₦10,000 – ₦30,000
Feeding – ₦5,000 – ₦20,000/month
Miscellaneous – ₦5,000

Total: ₦30,000 – ₦100,000

Profit Potential (After 1 Year)

100 snails can multiply to 500 – 1,000 snails
Each snail can sell for ₦500 – ₦2,000

Total earnings: ₦500,000 – ₦2,000,000 per year

Pro Tip: Want to make more money? Start exporting to Europe & Asia, where snails sell for 3x Nigerian prices.

How To Start Selling Snail To Make Profits

1. Decide How You Want to Sell Snails

There are different ways to make money selling snails. Choose the one that fits your budget and business goals.

Option 1: Selling Live Snails

Buy live snails from local farms or markets
Resell to hotels, restaurants, and individuals
You don’t need a farm, just a supplier and buyers

Best for Beginners: Easy to start with little capital

Option 2: Selling Processed Snails

Buy live snails, clean them, and sell as ready-to-cook snails
Sell to supermarkets, online stores, and food vendors
Snails can be sold fresh, dried, or frozen

Best for Higher Profit: People prefer cleaned and packaged snails

Option 3: Exporting Snails

Snails are in high demand in Europe, Asia, and the USA
You can export to foreign food companies or individuals
You need to register with NAFDAC and NEPC for snail export

Best for Big Money: Exporting snails brings huge profits

2. Where to Buy Snails at Cheap Prices

To make a profit, buy snails at low prices and sell at higher prices.

Best Places to Buy Cheap Snails:

Snail Farms – Buy directly from snail farmers at wholesale prices
Local Markets – Get snails from big markets like Mile 12 (Lagos), Bodija (Ibadan), or Ariaria (Aba)
Bush Hunters – During the rainy season, some people hunt wild snails and sell them cheap

Pro Tip: Buy in bulk for lower prices. The more snails you buy, the cheaper the cost per snail.

3. How to Process and Package Snails for Sale

If you want to make more money, process snails before selling. Many people don’t like cleaning snails, so they prefer to buy ready-to-cook snails.

Steps to Process Snails for Sale:

Step 1: Kill the Snails – Break the shell or pour hot water over them

Step 2: Remove the Shells – Use a knife or stone to extract the snail meat

Step 3: Remove the Slime – Use alum, lime, or garri to wash off the slimy substance

Step 4: Package the Snails –

Fresh Snails – Pack in plastic containers

Frozen Snails – Store in sealed nylon bags

Dried Snails – Sun-dry or oven-dry for long shelf life

Pro Tip: Well-packaged snails sell faster and at higher prices.

4. Where to Sell Snails in Nigeria

There are many ways to sell snails and make money.

Local Markets & Food Vendors

Sell fresh or processed snails to market traders

Target popular food markets in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and major cities

Hotels & Restaurants

Snails are used for pepper soup, stews, and barbecue

Visit hotels and restaurants to offer bulk supply deals

Supermarkets & Online Stores

Package snails in plastic containers and sell in supermarkets

List snails on Jumia, Konga, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Export to Foreign Buyers

Nigerians abroad love snails but can’t get them easily

Find foreign buyers through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Alibaba

Pro Tip: If you can sell online, you won’t need a physical shop to make money.

5. Cost and Profit Potential of Selling Snails

Let’s break down the cost and expected profit.

Startup Cost (Small Scale)

Buying snails – ₦30,000 – ₦100,000

Processing & packaging – ₦10,000 – ₦30,000

Marketing (online ads, transportation) – ₦10,000 – ₦50,000

Total: ₦50,000 – ₦180,000

Profit Potential

100 snails can be resold for ₦500 – ₦2,000 each

If you process and package snails, you can charge higher prices

Possible earnings per month: ₦500,000 – ₦2,000,000+

Pro Tip: To make more profit, buy snails during the rainy season (cheaper) and sell in dry season (higher prices).

6. Marketing & Growing Your Snail Business

You need good marketing to sell snails fast and make more money.

Online Marketing Strategies

WhatsApp & Facebook Ads – Advertise to food lovers, restaurants, and Nigerians abroad
Instagram & TikTok – Post videos of fresh, clean, and packaged snails
Jumia & Konga – List snails on these platforms for online buyers

Offline Marketing Strategies

Contact Restaurants & Hotels – Offer to supply snails weekly or monthly
Sell at Food Markets – Rent a space or supply to market traders
Distribute Flyers – Print and share with local supermarkets and food stores

Pro Tip: Use before & after pictures of cleaned snails to attract more customers.

7. Common Challenges in Snail Selling (And How to Solve Them)

Every business has challenges, but here’s how to overcome them:

Challenge 1: Snails Spoil Quickly

Solution: Sell fresh snails fast or freeze them for storage

Challenge 2: Finding Bulk Buyers

Solution: Market your snails online and target hotels, restaurants, and exporters

Challenge 3: High Competition

Solution: Brand your snails well, package them better, and offer home delivery

Final Thoughts: Is Snail Farming Profitable in Nigeria?

Yes! Snail farming is a low-cost, high-profit business with steady demand.

With as little as ₦30,000, you can start and make millions within a year.

If you’re looking for a side hustle or full-time business, snail farming is a great option.

Now it’s time to take action. Start small, follow these steps, and build your snail empire!

Final Tips for Success in Snail Farming

Start small, grow big – Don’t rush into large-scale farming without experience.
Ensure a moist, cool environment – Snails need proper conditions to grow.
Sell at the right time – Bigger snails bring bigger profits.
Find bulk buyers – Restaurants & exporters pay more for snails in large quantities.

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