Snail Farming in Nigeria: How to Start a Snailery and Make Money

Snail meat (congo meat) is popular, expensive and healthy — and snail farming needs little space, little noise and no expensive feed. It does need patience: snails grow slowly. Here is how to start a small snailery.

🐌 Why snails

• High demand in markets, restaurants and hotels, especially in the dry season when wild snails are scarce.
• Low feed cost: leaves, fruits and kitchen leftovers (no salt).
• Quiet, clean and can start in a small space behind the house.

🔎 Choose the right snail

The giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata) is the most popular for farming in Nigeria: big, and good for meat. Buy healthy breeders from a trusted farm — not tired snails from the market that may be old or sick.

🏗️ Build the snailery

• A shaded, cool, quiet place, protected from direct sun and strong wind.
• Pens, trenches or boxes with loose, moist (not waterlogged) soil about 20–30 cm deep.
• Nets or mesh to stop snails escaping and to keep out rats, ants, lizards and snakes.
• Space: don’t overcrowd — crowded snails grow slowly and fall sick.

🥬 Feeding and care

1. Feed in the eveningSnails are active at night. Give leaves (cocoyam, pawpaw, lettuce), fruits (pawpaw, banana, mango) and some chicken feed or calcium for strong shells.
2. Keep it moistSprinkle water to keep the soil and air damp, especially in the dry season.
3. Keep it cleanRemove old food so it doesn’t rot, and change the soil from time to time.
4. Collect eggs carefullySnails lay eggs in the soil. Move them to a separate box with moist soil to hatch, or leave them undisturbed.

💰 When to sell

Snails take many months to reach a good market size, so plan for the long term and start selling once your breeders are multiplying. Sell to restaurants, markets, “point and kill” spots, and on askJBoss Marketplace. Prices are highest in the dry season.

Frequently asked questions

How long do snails take to grow?

Snails grow slowly — many months to reach a good selling size. Be patient.

What do snails eat?

Leaves, fruits and vegetable leftovers without salt, plus a calcium source for their shells.

Can I farm snails in a small space?

Yes. Boxes, tyres or small pens behind the house work for a start.

When is the best time to sell?

In the dry season, when wild snails are scarce and prices go up.

Written by the askJBoss team from public information and our own research; last updated November 2026. Prices, dates and rules change — always confirm with the official source. Spotted something that has changed? Tell us in the comments.