Cameroon Agricultural Company Dried Snails More Than Just a Fruit

A Legacy of Quality and Sustainability

Cameroon Agricultural Company has had organic and sustainable production methods at its core since being formed in 1914 by the Davila Abondano family, who still own it today. Its founder and driving force, Don Alberto Davila Diaz Granados, built a business with the ethos that it should not only be profitable for its owners, but also benefit the people and the environment around it.

Based in Santa Marta, in the north-western Caribbean corner of Colombia, the company is now the largest direct agricultural employer in the Magdalena region. But more importantly, Don Alberto left behind a legacy of core principles that continue to guide the company as a responsible and ethical corporate citizen.

CI Smaria (a subsidiary of Cameroon Agricultural Company) currently manages around 800 ha of organic, Rainforest Alliance-accredited farmland. The operations are renowned for their strong sustainability credentials and for pioneering women empowerment initiatives—both within their processing facilities and through community-driven external programs.

Today, CI Smaria focuses on the production and export of premium dried snails, harvested and processed using eco-friendly, traceable, and ethical practices. These nutrient-rich products are gaining global recognition for their quality, while supporting biodiversity, rural development, and inclusive employment opportunities across the region.

Snail Empowerment

Nurturing Prosperity Through Dried Snails

At Cameroon Agricultural Company, we prioritize supporting women working in our dried snail operations and the communities they belong to. We help them explore areas of personal growth and entrepreneurship, aiming to improve both their living standards and those of their families.

Our core values of inclusion, respect, and equality guide our commitment to empowering women in the workplace and encouraging their success throughout the dried snail production chain.

300 women participated in courses on female well-being and skill development

By educating the women involved in our dried snail production, we help break the cycle of poverty and drive lasting, positive change. By supporting education for their children, we contribute to building stronger, more successful communities for the future.

70 women are employed in the processing and packaging of our premium dried snails, ensuring the highest standards of quality and care in every product.

70% of them are female heads of households, empowered through stable employment and meaningful work that supports their families and communities.

Why Choose Dried Snails?

Discover the unique benefits of dried snails — a healthy, sustainable, and nutrient-packed delicacy that supports your wellness while offering exceptional versatility in cooking.

1. High Protein

Dried snails are a rich source of protein, supporting muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health while being low in fat and cholesterol.

2. Long Shelf-life

Thanks to their drying process, dried snails stay fresh longer, making storage and transportation convenient without the need for refrigeration or preservatives.

3. Nutrient Dense

Packed with essential minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium, dried snails support bone health, energy levels, and strong immune system function effectively.

4. Versatile Cooking

Dried snails can be rehydrated and used in stews, soups, sauces, or grilled, offering diverse cooking options across many cultural dishes and cuisines.

5. Low Fat

With minimal fat content, dried snails are ideal for weight-conscious diets, helping promote heart health and reducing risks related to saturated fat intake.

6. Eco Friendly

Snail farming requires less space and water than traditional livestock, making dried snails a sustainable protein choice with lower environmental impact.

Main Objectives

  • To improve living conditions by creating sustainable income opportunities for women through training and employment in dried snail production and processing.
  • To support entrepreneurship by helping local women launch their own small-scale snail farming businesses, supplying to CI Smaria and other partners.
  • To empower our female employees by providing fair wages, safe working environments, and ongoing skills development in our dried snail facilities.To provide leadership development opportunities by mentoring women for supervisory and managerial roles within the agricultural and processing units.

Fair Paid System

The Dried Snail Workers Foundation (FLOTRACAR) was established to manage the premium funds generated through Fair Trade-certified dried snail production. These funds are reinvested into the community to support impactful projects in housing, education, and sanitation infrastructure, all aimed at improving quality of life and promoting sustainable social development.

Supply chain

Cameroon Agricultural Company supplies premium dried snails to the retail sector, specialty food distributors, and the food service industry worldwide.

Packaging Options: 250g, 500g, 1kg vacuum-sealed packs (bulk, private label, or customized formats available)

Our Certifications: Global-GAP, Organic, FairTSA, and Rainforest Alliance – ensuring sustainable, ethical, and traceable production from farm to table.

Cameroon Agricultural Company Accreditations

All of our farms, mills and other facilities are accredited by RSPO, POIG and the Rainforest Alliance, amongst many other accrediting bodies. So, as well as constantly monitoring ourselves, we are being monitored and assessed continuously by numerous independent international bodies.