White Jade Snails

White Jade Snails

　　　Yuxin Town in Nanhu District, located in the southern part of Jiaxing City, has been engaged in the breeding of white jade snails since 1987. After 15 years of developing breeding techniques and marketing channels, it now has over 1,200 snail breeders, 200 acres of field area, 8,000 square meters of greenhouses, and an annual output of 2,000 tons. It is the largest white jade snail breeding base in China, accounting for over 60% of the national total production. In 2001, it was awarded the title of "Snail Town" during the province-wide selection of distinctive towns.

　　White jade snails are rich in various trace elements and are a high-protein, low-fat nutritious health food. According to measurements, they contain 42.9% protein and 31.2% various amino acids. Their nutritional value is comparable to that of wild turtle and soft-shelled turtle products, and they also offer multiple medicinal benefits, earning them recognition as one of the world's four famous delicacies.

　　White jade snail breeding is an emerging agricultural industry developed in recent years. The general field yield is around 2,000–2,500 pounds per acre. Based on the current average market price of 5 yuan per pound, the yield per acre can reach 10,000–12,500 yuan, with net profits of 8,000–10,000 yuan per acre. To accelerate the development of this highly efficient and distinctive agricultural product, Yuxin Town in Xiucheng District has collaborated with the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology to establish the Yuxin Town White Jade Snail Breeding Center. This initiative enables unified snail breeding, the development of finished snail products, the enhancement of snail value, and further promotes the healthy and stable growth of the snail industry, striving to bring Yuxin Town’s white jade snails to the international market.