Expert urges on $14.5b snail industry

•A farmer and daughter carrying snails

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria, (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, has urged farmers to take advantage of the booming edible snail market projected to reach $4.55 billion by 2033 from its current valuation of $2.46 billion.

He described snail farming as an untapped goldmine for entrepreneurs. “It’s a very lucrative business. It’s not capital intensive. It’s something anybody can start small. Even from your retirement benefits, you can start. It’s something that you can even start from the confines of your compound,” Iyama explained.

The global edible snail market is expanding at a robust compound annual growth rate of eight per cent. This surge presents a golden opportunity for Nigeria, which already produces over 45,000 metric tons of snails annually through wild harvesting, making it Africa’s largest snail supplier.

Iyama emphasised the accessibility of snail farming for Nigerians seeking alternative income streams.

“It’s just that at times you need a cool place that has water because snails do not gel with serious heat. It multiplies very fast. Right now, it also has a very big export potential,” he noted. The versatility of snail farming appeals to diverse investors, according to Iyama.

“There are people that we are encouraging to go into it if you don’t want the trouble of growing arable crops, cash crops and all that. If you don’t want to go into the big leagues of sheep and cattle and goats and all those things, snails are good. Livestock are more troublesome than snails,” he said.

Nigeria’s export growth has been particularly impressive, with the most rapid expansion recorded in 2020. Exports reached 164 tons in 2023, showing an annual growth rate of 20.7 per cent since 2020, primarily to markets including the United Kingdom and the United States. However, much of the production remains undocumented, as it relies heavily on wild harvesting rather than organized commercial farming operations.

European markets remain the primary consumers, with France leading global imports at approximately $21 million annually, followed by Spain at $12 million, Italy at $6.5 million, Romania at $6 million, and Portugal at $4 million, according to Cognitive Market Research, a global research and consulting. It highlighted, however, that the Asia-Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market, boasting a compound annual growth rate of 9.3 percent, driven by a rising middle class with adventurous culinary tastes and increasing disposable income. The United States, it noted, represents 20.57 per cent of the total global market in 2025, while Germany holds 6.32 percent and the United Kingdom accounts for 5.62 per cent. China commands 8.39 per cent of the global market, with India showing the highest regional growth rate at 9.94 per cent.

Market analysts identified several key drivers for the industry’s growth, including growing demand for gourmet and exotic foods, increasing awareness of nutritional benefits, and advancements in heliculture (snail farming). The excellent nutritional profile of snails, which are rich in protein, iron, and essential fatty acids yet low in fat, positions them as a healthy alternative protein source appealing to health-conscious consumers globally.

The global snail market encompasses the farming, processing, and sale of snails for human consumption across various product forms including fresh, frozen, canned, and dried varieties.

Morocco currently leads global production with approximately 18,000 tons annually, accounting for 35 percent of world output and 82 percent of Africa’s production. The country exported snails worth $10 million in 2023, followed by Turkey at $7 million and several European nations.

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 Meanwhile, Africa contributes more than 65,000 metric tons to global snail production, with Nigeria’s 45,000 metric tons representing the lion’s share through wild harvesting, while Ghana contributes around 8,700 metric tons.

For Nigerian producers to fully capitalize on this opportunity, experts recommend focusing on export partnerships with European Union buyers, investment in processing facilities to meet EU standards, technology and knowledge exchange programmes covering Good Agricultural Practices and food safety, sustainable certification programmes for access to premium markets, and development of cold-chain infrastructure in snail-producing states.