Ostrich industry works to cement its position
South Africa’s National Department of Agriculture, the Provincial Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Research Council recently held a meeting with the South African Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) to clarify a strategy to further strengthen the country’s ostrich industry in the global sector and maintain its position in the face of competition.
As a result of the discussions it was decided that bi-annual meetings will now be held to discuss the industry’s status, a work plan to synchronise operations through the entire value chain will be implemented, service training will be improved to increase capacity in the sector, further steps will be taken to monitor market techniques, and the potential to establish a dedicated veterinary unit to service the industry will be investigated.
South Africa’s ostrich industry employs some 20,000 people and exports 90% of products in the form of feathers, leather and meat, mainly to the EU.
