Zimbabwean ostrich production hit by Maize shortage
A shortage of maize and a global slowdown in the demand for ostrich meat are being blamed for the expected slump in ostrich slaughter in Zimbabwe this year, according to local news reports.
Last year, a total of 42,000 ostrich were slaughtered in Zimbabwe, earning the country $11 million in exports. This year, slaughter levels will struggle to reach 30,000.
Speaking to the local news media yesterday, Clare Davies, chief executive of the Zimbabwe Ostrich Producers Association confirmed the extent to which the export price of the birds had plummeted in recent months. Citing a ‘global recession’ in ostrich meat prices, she said prices had fallen to around US$200 per bird from the US$270 that producers earned last year. At around US$8 per square foot, Ostrich skin prices were similarly depressed, Ms. Davies revealed. However, she was confident these would pick up during the second half of the year.
