Snail breeding as a business. Breeding grape snail

Highly interesting business can become such an unconventional type of management for Russia as snail breeding. We are talking about grape snails (from lat. Helix pomatia), which are also called large, apple, moon, edible, cap, etc.

Main consumers of this delicacy product such countries as France (annual import of about 6 thousand tons), Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy. According to research results, the total annual product need is more than 100 thousand tons. At the same time, the demand is satisfied by producers only by 60-70%.

In the conditions of our country, it is undeniably difficult to claim a high demand for this product, but the less demand exists and manufacturers could become regular suppliers for Escargot French restaurants and for industrial enterprises, producing semi-finished products for markets, having interrupted in terms of price French and other foreign farms, for which transport and customs costs are a mandatory item of expenditure.

In addition, there is such a little-known line of business as sale of snail caviar, which has unique taste qualities (mushroom taste) and has recently become a delicacy after the development of the salting method (Fr. D. Pierre).

Another effective way to sell products is medical industry. Snails serve as an effective raw material base for the production of medicines of various spectrum of action from restoring metabolism, rejuvenating the body, bronchorelaxants to eliminating problems with potency (very strong aphrodisiacs are produced from snails). Snail meat promotes the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue, helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended for pregnant women as a natural source of calcium.

Snail meat contains protein (10%), fats (30%), carbohydrates (5%), vitamin B6, B12, calcium, magnesium, iron.

In general, for those interested, we will describe the main points of building and maintaining a snail farm.

The composition of the main fixed and variable costs for organizing a snail farm per 1 ton of output:

1. Registration of a legal entity or individual entrepreneur, including opening a bank account, registration, obtaining all permits (described in detail earlier);
2. A land plot with suitable vegetation (above 10 cm) of a quadrature proportional to the planned release volumes (with natural feeding 1 sq. m = 30-40 snails (approx. 1 kg), and with artificial feeding 1 sq. m = 200 snails) on ownership or lease;
3. Premises for young animals (18 sq. m) and broodstock (4 sq. m);
4. Shelving for snails (4-5);
5. Boxes for snails for sale (8 pcs. 1x0.5 m);
6. Cuvettes for young animals (150 pieces, 0.1 mg each);
7. Cuvettes for laying eggs (200 pcs. 12x8x6 cm);
8. Aviary for young animals (400 sq. m.);
9. 750 adult queen bees (15 kg);
10. Feed ( powdered milk OK. 15 kg, compound feed approx. 1350 kg or greens; chalk ok. 300 kg). For 40 snails, the consumption is 2 kg of compound feed.

Technological process very simple.

For reproduction, the snails are placed in pairs in an appropriate container.

Snails are hermaphrodites, but mating is necessary for fertilization. It usually occurs from March to May (after hibernation). Then comes the laying of eggs by both individuals of the pair, after laying, the mother individuals are transferred to the aviary, and the eggs are placed in the incubator. After 6 weeks, the young can already be transferred to an adult aviary. The whole process of reproduction and cultivation takes place practically without the participation of the breeder. The only functions of a snail farm owner are feeding, protection from “predators” (e.g., worms, insects, shrews, lizards, moles, hedgehogs), as well as container-enclosure movement of individuals, depending on the stage of the reproduction and rearing processes.

Productivity grape snails is about 40-60 eggs from each uterine individual per year.

Growth cycle approximately 1.5 years (from April to August of the next year).

There are varieties of snails with a much shorter maturation cycle. For example, Helix Aspera Maxima (Tunisia) ripen in 6 months.

For implementation individuals weighing 20 g with a size of 5 cm arrive. Selling price 3-5 euros per kilogram. Prices are dictated by the exchanges of such countries of "snail giants" as France, Spain, Italy. But you need to be prepared for the fact that at the start-up stage it will be difficult to break through to this level (in terms of output, first of all) and therefore it may be necessary to sell snails to buyers at bargain prices of 1.5-2 euros per kg.

Generally, payback period project is approx. 1.5 years.

Yield from 100 kg of broodstock about 4 tons of product for 1.5 years, in terms of price 360 ​​thousand rubles. This is subject to the achievement of effective marketing arrangements.

Growing and breeding snails as a business is an interesting and profitable process, in addition, such an industry is the least time-consuming and financial. It can be both main and additional income. These animals do not require special conditions maintenance and nutrition, occupy a small area.

Primary activity

Growing snails as a business is very profitable. Domestic snails are used in many branches of life. Having an economy of such a plan, it is quite possible to compete with foreign suppliers.

The threshold for entering the business is minimal, but the only negative is the long stage of breeding. The average time is six months, and the age for sale is three years from birth. Since these are creatures that combine two sexes, you do not have to buy males and females, this is also important. Regarding the species, Achatina snails are the most common. They are not several times larger than grapes, but they require a temperature regime, since this is an African species, and they may not survive the winter.

What to earn:

• sale as food product;
• sale as an ornamental animal;
• sale of salted caviar.

What snails can be grown:

• giant Achatina (large in size, requires a warm climate);
• grape snails (unpretentious, easily survive in any climate).

Since these two species are the same in terms of purchase price, both can be grown.

Instructions on how to open and what is needed for this

To make money on snails, you will need quite a bit in terms of finances and equipment. From a technical point of view, your task is to provide positive climatic conditions and nutrition for shellfish.

Steps to open a snail farm:

1. Analysis of the market for the presence of buyers of the meat of this animal.
2. Analysis of the market price per kilogram.
3. Identification of target niches for implementation.
4. IP registration.
5. Purchase of the first batch.
6. Breeding equipment.

Stage 1 - registration and preparation of documents

Regarding the official design, of course, you can hesitate whether this is necessary. But if you are planning to sell pharmaceutical, cosmetic companies, or catering, keep in mind that some of them will ask for a formal contract with you as a supplier. If you breed slugs at home, you will not need anything other than registering an IP. But if you are official suppliers, the conclusion of the SES will not hurt you.

Stage 2 - finding a room

When choosing a growing area, you have two options, this is an aquarium and a fenced area. It is worth noting that the latter will be much more profitable and better in terms of convenience for the animals themselves and their nutrition. The site can be fenced and insulated, this will allow the animals to survive the winter and not hibernate.

Stage 3 - purchase and installation of the necessary equipment

For breeding Achatina at home, the main thing is the site. It should be noted that the area of ​​the site depends on the number of individuals, the calculation is approximately 30 pieces per 1 sq.m. Also, it is necessary to sow the site with the most useful plants. Do not forget to combine artificial food with natural.

If you raise offspring on the site, protect it from other animals that can harm. It is for this that it is better to make good, mesh walls. Regarding the temperature regime, it can be maintained with ordinary light bulbs, under glass. If you have a large plot, then you can not do without the insulation of walls, roofs and artificial heating devices.

Stage 4 - recruitment

Given the small scale this business, one person is needed to implement. Most likely, if you start this activity, you will sole employee.

Stage 5 - promotion and advertising

After breeding snails, you will face the task of their profitable implementation. We have introduced several channels through which customers can find you.

Where can I advertise the sale of Achatina:

• thematic forums;
• bulletin boards;
• thematic groups in social networks.

Financial plan

For breeding snails at home as a business, no special investments are required. The only thing you need is to purchase the first batch that will give offspring. The cost of a unit, for example Achatina, ranges from 50 rubles. Remember that the number of offspring depends on the volume of the first batch.

Minimum investment:

• a batch of snails, 1000 pieces (50,000 rubles);
• soil fertilizers (5,000 rubles);
• mesh (2,000 rubles).

Total: 57,000 rubles.

Possible risks

Of the risks, it is worth considering one and the most important one, this is the extinction of snails due to bad weather conditions.

The snail breeding business in our country is currently not very developed, but is gradually gaining momentum. Some people say that this occupation is not very profitable, but with proper organization you can earn quite a decent income.

Many entrepreneurs sell their products to European buyers, where snails are a traditional dish and are served in many restaurants. For example, for one kilogram of snail meat in Europe, you can get from 25 to 30 euros. This is quite natural, given that meat is characterized by the complete absence of cholesterol, which is so important for supporters of a healthy lifestyle.

Deliveries to Europe are best made in large quantities, which start from ten tons. In this regard, for cultivation, you will need to purchase a land plot of at least one hectare.

• You can grow snails for restaurants that offer their visitors French cuisine.
• In addition, you can breed them for enterprises that are engaged in production of semi-finished products or snail caviar, which is considered a valuable product.
• Apart from Food Industry, snails can be used in the manufacture of medical products. They are used to make anti-aging agents, drugs that increase potency or normalize metabolism. Their meat is used in the production of drugs that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and musculoskeletal system.
• The main and most profitable goal is meat export to Europe. In European restaurants, on average, about 100 thousand tons of these mollusks are consumed. But for a business to pay off, it is necessary to organize industrial production.
• If you are selling them for decorative purposes, then the cost for one adult can be from 50 to 500 rubles.

Do I need to register a company

To legalize a business, you must go through the procedure compulsory registration. You can , but for breeding it is fine .

In addition, you need to obtain special documents:

• permission to conduct activities from the sanitary and epidemiological station;
• from the fire service;
• from the veterinary service on product quality.

Without the above documents, you will not be able to legally sell your products.

Breed options

grape

They are the most common type in our country. Habitat - vineyards and orchards.

They are rarely seen in open areas. The life expectancy of an individual is about 8 years. Snails will feel great in a terrarium, in simple boxes.

Achatina snails

They are one of the largest individuals, so they must be grown in gardens or in large terrariums.

These mollusks are hermaphrodites. Achatina do not need a partner for mating, they fertilize themselves.

snails-apples

Also great for industrial cultivation. They can feel great in an aquarium with fish. To keep such a snail, an average of up to ten liters of water is required.

Mollusks are quite unpretentious to food and can eat almost any food. Caring for them will not require much effort and time. The most important thing is to make sure that the pets do not get out of the enclosure.

Where they need to be grown, the necessary equipment

• You can grow snails in special enclosures outdoors . This method is more suitable for industrial cultivation, which expands your business. But there is a minus - your pets will be attacked by predators.
• Breeding indoors is the most labor-intensive method, but at the same time allows for a breeding cycle throughout the year. The downside is that you will need to open a small workshop and incur certain costs.
• You can also grow snails in greenhouses. Using this method, you can control the humidity and temperature of the air.

Equipment that will be needed for keeping livestock:

• Terrarium or aviary for keeping young individuals.
• Special containers that will be needed to sell snails.
• Cuvettes for young individuals.
• Cuvettes for laying eggs.
• Shelving.

• Land area of ​​at least 18 square meters.
• Premises for keeping the breeding stock of molluscs.
• mother individuals.
• Feed.

Breeding process technology

Purchase

The purchase can be made from companies from Europe. There are companies that sell snails in the Czech Republic, Poland, Tunisia, Germany, and France.

In our country, you can also buy shellfish (on the territory of the Republic of Adygea and in the Crimea).

Price per individual grape snail starts from 2 and ends at $5.

cultivation

The technology is a fairly simple process and will not require much effort and time from you. For reproduction, mollusks are placed in a container. Mating of snails occurs in the spring season after they wake up. After that, they begin to lay eggs.

Once the egg laying is completed, the queen bees are placed in the terrarium and the eggs in the incubator. After new individuals have been born, they can be transferred to an adult terrarium after 2 months.

Reproduction occurs without the participation of the breeder and thus saves his time. All you need to do is feed the livestock.

You also need to ensure the safety of mollusks, that is, to ensure that earthworms, moles, hedgehogs and other animals do not get into the aviary.

Care

The room must be equipped with a high-quality ventilation system. One of the main indicators at which mollusks will feel good is air humidity. It should be within 90 percent. For grape snails, the air temperature should be at least 25 degrees Celsius.

A terrarium or aquarium should be constantly cleaned of accumulated mucus, otherwise there is a chance for the appearance and reproduction of harmful microorganisms. To wash the enclosures, it is necessary to use exclusively clean water so that there are no chemical solutions in it.

It is also necessary to change the soil every four months. For soil, the ideal option would be ordinary land for indoor plants, which is sold in gardening stores. The soil needs to be loosened once a week and slightly moistened.

Feeding

Feeding should occur during the day 2-3 times. It is necessary to use a special mixture consisting of herbs and cereals, which will provide the snails with the necessary growth and development. Feed mixtures are a good source of protein.

For young individuals, it is necessary to keep a small container of water in the terrarium. This is necessary in order for the shell to acquire a fortress and protect the snail from damage. internal organs. You can also feed them with a mixture of powdered milk.

Sales channels

Before you start your business, you need to assess the demand for products. Remember that snails in our country are not yet very common as a delicacy. Therefore, you can sell products to European restaurants, where it is a familiar delicacy.

You can also try sending them to shops, supermarkets. You can sell products to enterprises that manufacture semi-finished products. Sales can be carried out in companies engaged in the production of medical drugs and cosmetic products.

Financial costs and profit calculation

The financial costs are as follows:

• Buying a broodstock - $ 150 for 50 individuals.
• The purchase of equipment will cost an average of 500-600 dollars.
• Purchase of feed - $ 100.
• Renting a land plot will cost about 25 thousand rubles.

Thanks to a competent approach to business, a business can bring you quite a stable and high income. When selling one ton of these shellfish, you can get up to 6000 dollars. Labor costs come down to the following: you need to clean the terrarium from the remnants of mucus daily and feed the snails, which will take no more than one hour a day.

Video about this type of activity

The video clearly shows the process of functioning of the snail farm:

Breeding snails as a business is an exotic enterprise, the organization of which does not require large financial investments, but at the same time has a 100% profitability. The advantage of such entrepreneurial activity there is also a low entry threshold, and a low level of competition with high consumption of products by pharmaceutical enterprises and restaurants. Snail meat is also popular among lovers of exotic dishes. One individual produces about 1 kg of offspring in 1 season, and its maintenance costs about 15 rubles. per month. Restaurants pay for 1 kg of meat from 350 to 450 rubles. The purchase price of snail caviar, similar to pearls, reaches 12,000 rubles. for 0.1 kg.

Our business valuation:

Starting investments - from 50,000 rubles and more (depending on the expected scale of production).

Market saturation is low.

The complexity of starting a business is 3/10.

Useful properties of snail meat

In order to successfully organize your business growing grape snails in Russia, where entomophagy, that is, eating, is not accepted, you need to tell a potential buyer about the unusual taste of meat, its benefits to the human body and medicinal properties.

Gourmets consider snail meat a real delicacy, more beneficial to humans than chicken meat. This is due to the composition of the product: 2/3 is protein, 1/3 is amino acids. The absence of cholesterol and fats allows you to include it in various diets.

French doctors who conducted research for 3 years proved that snail meat has a stimulating and rejuvenating effect. Pharmacists prepare compositions from gastropods that activate life processes human body. For the information of the stronger sex: snail meat is called "natural viagra".

Interesting and original idea, may be of interest to many aspiring entrepreneurs with its availability. But before drawing up a business plan for breeding grape snails, it is necessary to study in detail the process of their breeding, conditions of detention and other nuances on which the success of the enterprise depends.

Collecting or buying a queen bee?

The first question that arises when organizing a home farm is where to buy grape snails for breeding. You can, of course, go to the forest, square, park or country house and collect the required amount of mollusks on your own. For a hike, you should choose a humid, but too cold day. You need to choose large, beautiful snails, which will become the main producers.

But it is better to buy them at an already functioning grape snail farm. The mollusk is a hermaphrodite, that is, endowed with male and female reproductive functions. Therefore, they are usually bought without dividing into individuals, by the piece or by live weight. The cost of snails depends on their readiness to reproduce offspring.

When choosing, remember:

• shell diameter adult equal to 5 cm;
• price per kilogram of grape snails (50 aged individuals) - from 1,000 rubles;
• 1 snail costs about 30 rubles;
• a pair of clams costs about 50 rubles.

It is not always profitable for producers of queen bees to sell products in bulk, and they try to sell snails in pairs. But it is more profitable for a novice entrepreneur to buy a few kilograms of shellfish.

Snail cages

Growing a grape snail is not a complicated process, but it requires constant monitoring. Clams can be kept in a heated basement, in a fenced off area of ​​​​your own garden, or in special containers. Forage for them is a leaf of grapes or cabbage.

Breeding grape snails in the country begins with the construction of a special aviary, where the pets will constantly be. The fence must be constructed in such a way as to prevent the snails from creeping out and, together with these, provide protection from rodents. To do this, a metal, plastic or concrete base is constructed around the entire perimeter of the enclosure, going into the ground to a depth of about 15 cm, and rising above it from 50 cm. You can add the height of the base with a chain-link mesh. It is better to place the aviary in the shade of trees, and stretch a net of fishing line over it, which will protect the snails from birds and pets.

Special grooves made inside the enclosure to collect moisture are planted with burdock and nettle. This will immediately solve the question of how to feed the grape snails. Burdock and nettle are both food, medicine, and protection from the sun for shellfish. Although pets love moisture, its excess can cause fungal infections. Therefore, along with the grooves in the enclosure, high ridges are laid out, where the snails can escape from the water. The fenced area is sown with grass, which needs to be mowed periodically. Additional care for grape snails is not required.

When it's time to harvest the "harvest", you need to lay slate in the aviary. Pieces of slate are laid out at an angle, in the form of a roof. The snails will start gathering in the hiding place. You need to collect shellfish during rain or in the evening when they wake up.

Food for snails grown at home or in the country

It is necessary to strictly monitor what grape snails eat. Food for them is usually, as well as boiled vegetables, bran, carrots. To accelerate the puberty of pets, they must be fed crushed wheat and other cereals. Food should be served in small portions, since spoiled food, like dirt in an aviary, will serve as a source of various diseases for mollusks. Slaked lime or chalk, scattered in several piles, is needed to form a strong shell. With a shortage of this element, adults will begin to devour the young.

Reproduction of molluscs at home

Mollusks mate at night. They are more active at this time of day. It is necessary to make two enclosures: for adults and young animals. Before mating, the snails are placed in pairs in special containers. Despite the fact that mollusks are hermaphrodites, fertilization is impossible without mating. The process takes place in the spring. At the same time, both snails lay eggs. After the laying period is over, the eggs are stacked in an incubator, the queen bees are deposited in the aviary. Snails grow for about 6 weeks.

It is important to know that with natural feeding (plants), about 40 snails can be grown per 1 m2 of land. Artificial feeding increases this figure to 200 pieces.

Feasibility Study

The cultivation and sale of grape snails is a production, the calculations for which are made based on 1 ton of finished products.

What you need to organize a snail farm:

• registration of an individual entrepreneur or LLC;
• land plot;
• special room: 4 m2 for broodstock, 18 m2 for young animals;
• several racks (3-6, depending on the volume of production);
• 8-10 containers (or boxes) 1x0.5 m, they sell live snails;
• for seating young animals - 130-150 cuvettes;
• for laying eggs - 180-200 cuvettes (12x8x6 cm);
• aviary for young animals - 400 m2;
• adults - 750 pcs., This is about 15 kg.

Food is purchased based on the fact that 40 mollusks eat 2 kg of a mixture prepared according to a special recipe. To prepare the mixture during the season, you need to purchase:

• dry milk - 15 kg, greens,
• dry food - 1350 kg,
• chalk (slaked lime) - 300 kg.

A snail can lay up to 60 eggs per year. Pets grow for about 1.5 years. But some individuals, with artificial feeding, grow in 6 months.

Profitability of business on snails

How much a grape snail costs depends on many factors, one of which is the size of the individual and the volume of the lot being sold. For example, for retail customers and restaurants, a mollusk, which is 5 cm long and weighs about 20 g, will cost 300 rubles. for 1 kg. Grape snails are sold in bulk for about 120 rubles. for 1 kg.

Enough interesting business idea in terms of 100% profitability of the entry threshold and profitability is a snail farm. Many don't even realize high profitability this business with minimum investment. It is also worth noting the still very low competition of this exotic business.

In recent years, the cultivation of grape snails has gained particular popularity. This is due to the fact that in many countries of the CIS and Europe, the snail is considered a tasty, healthy and exotic delicacy. Naturally, such delicacies are quite expensive. In this regard, it appears actual idea for business - breeding of grape snails. But what is needed for this, where to start and what is the benefit, not everyone knows.

Pros and cons of breeding grape snails

One individual in one season brings about 1 kg of offspring - 50 individuals with a shell diameter of 5 cm. At the same time, the cost per individual is approximately $ 0.25 per month. Feed consumption for 40 snails is 2 kg. feed mixture prepared according to a special recipe. It includes crushed corn, chalk, milk powder and greens. The purchase price of snail meat is $5 per 1kg. And the purchase price of white snail eggs can reach up to $ 200 per 100g.

Snail meat is healthier than chicken meat. It does not contain fat or cholesterol. And most importantly, it has a high taste performance. Snail meat is popularly called natural Viagra, as it has the properties of increasing potency, not inferior to oysters. Up to 40 snails can be grown per square meter. But some professional farmers use artificial feeding and increase this figure to 200 pcs. per 1 sq.m. The period of maturation of molluscs is from 6 months to 1.5 years. It all depends on the subspecies and the effectiveness of the intensive feeding technology.

Ways to sell finished products

Before breeding grape snails, of course, it is necessary to analyze the sales markets. As the Japanese say: “Half the job to do, the job is to sell!”. All your efforts will be in vain if you cannot sell the received products. The main markets for deli meats include:

If there are similar businesses in your area, then you may well start this business. Otherwise, of course, you will have to think about ways to deliver goods over long distances, perhaps even export to European countries or China.

The technology of growing grape snails at home

The future entrepreneur has two main options for growing at home:

The first method is suitable for people who live in urban areas. Also, this method is a great option for those who are not completely confident in their abilities, because in an apartment you can try to breed a small number of snails in order to feel all the "pitfalls" of this process. Business testing is very important step which many people miss. At the same time, they take a lot of risk with their investments. But experts still recommend starting to grow mollusks in natural conditions.

For breeding you will need:

1. Equipped area of ​​20 square meters.
2. Special terrariums for gastropods.
3. Soil fertilized with various useful elements.
4. Food for growing molluscs, twigs and leaves.

Growing snails for meat is not a difficult process, but it requires control. It is necessary to maintain a strict temperature regime of 23 degrees Celsius, remove waste products of vital activity every three days and be sure to monitor soil moisture. The main food for snails is leaves, preferably from cabbage, plus a feed mixture. If there are no problems with all this, and you have received the first profit, you can think about full-scale breeding of mollusks.

To grow a farm in the open air, you will need a plot of 50 square meters. It is desirable that it be a garden. First you need to take care of the fence so that the snails do not “run away” to the neighbors :) You should also pay attention to the soil. Clams prefer areas with weeds or planted with wild vines. To start, you will need at least 800 adults. You can buy this amount of clams from wholesalers who sell them by weight. The price of snails for brood is $ 15 per 1 kg (50 individuals with 5 cm shells). Although one snail can be bought for $0.5. If you want to test a business idea, you can collect several dozen snails with your own hands in the forest, garden, country house, etc. The main thing is to choose large individuals for good performance. The shell diameter should be 5 cm. The mollusk is a hermaphrodite, that is, it has male and female reproductive functions.

Crops grown on the farm should not be higher than 50 centimeters. Also, the soil must be regularly weeded and fertilized (especially with calcium), add fresh weeds and leaves. An equally important task is to protect against pests such as carnivorous beetles, birds, lizards, rats and moles. Further deepen the fence into the ground by 30 cm and raise the fence 70 cm above the ground, around the entire perimeter to prevent rodents from entering the territory.

Harvesting shellfish

It is best to harvest in wet weather. To do this, it is first necessary to lay out the sheets of slate where the mollusks will be collected.

Mollusks are harvested only after reaching maturity. This can be determined by the edge of the sole (when it becomes hard, the snail will no longer grow). Collection is carried out weekly, usually in spring or autumn. After this, the gastropods must be kept in a cage for seven days so that their digestive system completely gets rid of the soil. Mollusks are not fed or watered. At temperature regime at +4 degrees and sufficient coolness, they can last for 2 months. Then it is enough just to pack the shells in boxes or mesh bags and put them up for sale.

A livestock of 50,000 gastropods produces meat per ton. Thus, at a market price of $ 5 per kilogram, you get a net profit of 400 thousand (already minus expenses). Business profitability easily reaches 100%.