Ostrich boom

LAST YEAR’S European Union ban on ostrich products from South Africa has played into the hands of the Namibian ostrich industry, which is more buoyant than ever.
“Higher prices and healthy demand have made farmers optimistic despite inherent problems with production costs,” Frikkie Mouton, managing director of Karas Tannery and Abattoir, told Windhoek’s New Era newspaper.
While high production costs are a priority concern, Mouton is confident that Namibia has claimed a share of the market as South Africa was forced to take a back seat.
The ban on South African products is due to be lifted in June this year.