Financial Feasibility Analysis for a Clam Culture Operation
A small-scale commercial culture operation of hard clams was assessed using baseline assumptions applicable to a 2-acre lease in southwest Florida. The analysis suggests that this size operation can produce 600,000 clams each year and realize a net return of about $19,000 per year. Assumptions included planting one million seed per year, seed costs of $8 per thousand, overall survival of 56%, and market price of $0.09 per littleneck clam (based on 2003 dockside prices). Although the study is dated, sensitivity analyses on seed price, market price, and survival rate allow for more current information to be considered and demonstrate how changes to these variables influence the “bottom line,” or net return to the grower.
