The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo Farming Reporter
THE country is losing about $9 million in potential ostrich exports due to the collapse of the industry over the last decade owing to the country’s economic challenges and disease outbreak, an expert said. One of the country’s biggest ostrich breeders, Mr Peter Cunningham, said ostrich production was in a precarious state and much was needed to revive it to become one of the country’s top foreign currency earners.
“Zimbabwean farmers used to produce about 30 000 birds per year but most of them stopped breeding. I have however, managed to maintain about 150 very best nucleus breed, which of course is the high grade ostrich breed, which I am going to use to start a vibrant breeding project in the next two years,” Mr Cunningham said.
The production of ostriches in Zimbabwe on a commercial basis began in the mid 80s and since then it has become a popular alternative or an addition to traditional farming of crops and livestock on several farms.
The products of value are the hide, meat and feathers, usually in that order of importance but over the few years the export of live birds has been the major marketing activity. However, this has had an effect of flooding the European market, resulting in uncompetitive prices being offered.
The local tanning industry for the ostrich hides had become popular overseas, with the American ostrich breeders expressing interest in having their hides tanned in Zimbabwe.
“The challenge which was faced by ostrich was the collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar during the period of 2006 to 2007 coupled with the outbreak of bird flu which came in 2005,” Mr Cunningham said.
He said the country’s ostrich population had drastically dwindled with the few birds being kept in private wildlife parks. As most abattoirs closed, breeding of the birds stopped as prices that ostrich skins and meat were fetching on the international markets did not make the business viable.
“During its peak one would realise about $300 from the sale of a single bird. It’s an excellent export business as it brings a lot of money but it is very intensive in terms of management. You have to be on the ground every time but if you are a hands-on person you can be successful and manage an ostrich business,” Mr Cunningham said.
He said he was looking forward to playing a pivotal role in reviving the ostrich industry in Matabeleland region and the country as a whole.
“I want to boost the ostrich industry in Matabeleland region as the birds are good for export. However, I don’t have enough space to enable me to start a vibrant project so I will engage other farmers that have an interest in breeding the birds through providing them the birds to start their own projects,” Mr Cunningham said.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Cde Paddy Zhanda said he was not aware of the present supply and demand of ostrich products.
“I am not aware of the supply and demand of ostrich products but I know there was an abattoir which slaughtered ostriches in Norton which has since closed. Therefore I am not in a position to divulge any information pertaining to the performance of its export market,” he said.
