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OstriTec sticks its neck out in global boom
EXPORTING
OSTRICH meat and leather exporter OstriTec, which has achieved annual turnover of R20-million in only two years, is promoting the building of an abattoir and tannery in the Western Cape to take advantage of a global boom in demand for ostrich products. OstriTec's Richard Beames, who is handling sales in the Far East, says these facilities would assist farmers who have speculated in ostrich without assured livestock sales upfront, while guaranteeing OstriTec a reliable supply of quality export products. "Expansion is vital if South Africa is to become a major player. Current slaughtering facilities are already operating at capacity and marketing needs more attention. "Last year, South Africa sold 195 000 skins onto the world market but slaughtered 276 000 birds. Our proposed facilities would alleviate this pressure on farmers and give us the opportunity to focus on marketing." Beames say the tannery and meat packing plant would be located close to Cape Town International Airport to serve the Western Cape's fledgling ostrich industry. Satellite abattoirs would serve local farmers in their own areas to avoid over-transportation of live birds. "In leather trading alone, OstriTec can barely keep up with the demand for 15 000 skins annually. Without even looking for new markets, we believe this can be doubled within three years and a tannery is essential. This would give OstriTec a 10% share of the world's market and a secure future for the Western Cape's ostrich farmers." Beames says the company's modest, maiden presentation of its product at Foodex Japan 1997 was swamped by 8 000 tasters. The meat was even served raw as sushi. Japan has 125-million consumers and there are 260-million health conscious people in the US who still like red meat. OstriTec is considering the issue of shares to a selected group of ostrich farmers in the region to fund the abattoir and tannery as well as to secure slaughter allocations. OstriTec promotes ostrich meat and leather in scientific and aesthetic terms. Its leather is exclusive and fashionable, being scuff-resistant, hard-wearing and strong: "Without question, the most perfect leather in the world." The meat has 89% less fat than pork and 33% less than chicken; it has 25% less cholestrol than beef. Ostrich tastes and even looks like beef, "but is better".
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