A comprehensive study on the potential of snail farming in Malta

Abstract

The aim of this study after the subscription to this degree was to find an innovative project to work on during my years of study at University. The idea started around two years ago during the credit of marketing where I performed an assignment on the marketing and promotion of snail meat. It was the stepping stone to build around this idea and I hope in the future this dream of snail farming comes true on the Maltese Islands. For sure one of the biggest problems is that we cannot import the reproducers of snails already acclimatized in pens for breeding because of the MEP A regulations. For sure it is going to be difficult to start from our native wild snails but where there is a will there is a way. My idea is not to produce snails and take them to the Pitkali market but to take this venture from the beginning to the end. This means that the breeding cycles have to be monitored, the snails have to be graded and commercialization is done after the reconciliation of all the snails produced. This will guarantee a better set up for consumer demand asked by consumers and also to have more uniform price. In this study there is a short overview of the legislation concerned both for growing and for processing. Also the production is given in a certain amount of quite detail but in this area more expertise is needed because after all according the saying practice makes perfect. Lastly there is also a strategy on how to promote this product especially regarding its nutritional value an aspect which has not yet been exploited.