Sky high demand scores top dollar for ostrich exporters

OSTRICHES are destined to remain on a flightless path forever but soaring, sky-high demand persists for what is South Africa’s R1 billion-ayear export product. The well-heeled in Berlin, Paris and Antwerp remain eager to pay ‘top dollar’ for this premium, ‘country of origin’ meat but South Africans are bearing the brunt of high retail pricing, beyond the reach of most. Anton Kruger, CEO of the, Oudtshoorn-based, Ostrich Business Chamber, reiterates world demand remains very high as product “flies off the shelf”, so it’s a purely a question of supply and demand. South Africa’s market share is minute, with around 95% of annual production of 4 000 tons destined for the main markets of European Union countries. Kruger recalls a Madrid price of EUR32/kg (around R384/kg). Compare this to a Cape Town beef fillet selling at around R149/kg and ostrich fillet between R170/kg and R184/kg at leading food stores recently. Were one fortunate to live in the surrounds of Oudtshoorn, the local ostrich abattoir sells fillet at around R84/kg. “Ostrich is a lifestyle product, targeted for a specific market, and continues to sell very well,” he told FTW. It should be borne in mind ostrich farming is labour intensive and high-risk, the carcass of a slaughtered 95kg bird amounting to some 43kg, of which 67% is marketable meat but just 17% prime cuts. On top of that, birds have a high mortality rate, given chicks are born without an immune system and therefore highly susceptible to extreme climate change. “You are lucky if 50 of 100 eggs hatch and then you may end up with just 22 chicks.” The dreaded avian flu crisis of 2004/05 is fresh in the minds of many, when around 40 000 ostriches were culled, including many breeder birds, leading to a considerable population decline which has yet to be overcome. South Africa slaughtered 308 000 ostriches in 2003, compared to around 214 000 last year. Kruger says good overall prices have resulted in producers receiving 30% more for their product than last year. While not commenting specifically on this writer’s suggestion they are “creaming it”, he suggests rather they are “comfortable”. Kruger said that the chamber was not involved with retailers or wholesalers regarding prices.