Ostrich farming joint venture

Norman Bester, chairman of Integrated Meat Processors of the Eastern Cape (IMPEC), said the company was a joint venture between the Philippe Ostrich Group and the state backed Khula Sizwe Small Scale Ostrich Farmers' Participation Incentive Trust (The Trust). ‘This venture brings together the established commercial sector and the emerging ostrich farmers - the beneficiaries of The Trust - in the Eastern Cape. The farmers, as shareholders via The Trust, will benefit from the value adding chain of processing and marketing of their products.' He said IMPEC had acquired shares in The Grahamstown Ostrich Export Abattoir and the Philippe Exotic Leathers tannery. They had also purchased the de-boning facility adjacent to the abattoir and would, therefore, be in a position to process both meat and leather. Venison products for export and the local markets would also be processed at the facility to offset the reduced production of ostriches during the winter months. Meat is exported mostly to Europe and the skins to Asia, Europe and the Americas.  ‘Philippe is an established role player in the industry and will exclusively market all products supplied by IMPEC', he said The Trust provides a new production supply of ostriches from the emerging farmers to the processing facilities and markets. The emerging farmers are mentored by Salem AgriBusiness and financed by the State. Each farmer raises 100 ostrich chicks up to about 60kg. The chicks then move to feedlots where they are grown to slaughter weight. The feedlots are also operated by The Trust. Training and mentorship is continuous and it is envisaged to train and mentor several hundred farmers in the next five years to further strengthen the supply chain.