adminindustry after creating a huge shortage of crocodile products in the US and the European markets.
Zimbabwean and regional producers are reportedly struggling to meet the demand from these markets.
In an interview Zimbabwe Bio Energy managing director, Mr Trevor McCauley, said there was a huge demand for crocodile products in European and Asian markets.
“The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has left the US alligator market in limbo. Producers are failing to meet demand owing to heavy hurricane inspired losses, paving the way for countries like South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to make inroads into those markets.
“At the moment the markets are picking up but we do not have adequate stocks to meet the demand. Our subsidiary business concern, Mwenezi Crocodile Project, last year sold 6 000 crocodile skins and this year targets to export 20 000,” he said.
Hurricane Katrina killed thousands of animals both domestic and wild according to wildlife officials. It is rated the worst storm to hit the US in decades. Wildlife officials in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the three
US states hard hit by the hurricane, believe thousands of wild and farm animals perished due to storm surging and flooding. Mr McCauley said Mwenezi Crocodile Project this year expected to harvest 30 000 crocodile eggs for their breeding purposes from their breeding stock of 1 500.
“We will need supplements from the wild to take our number to 48 000 eggs so we will have to work hand in hand with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife,” he said.
He added that crocodile breeding was a very delicate and capital intensive, which forced many small-scale and resource-poor farmers to stay out of the project despite its lucrative nature. The biggest problem with
the project is the long period of time it takes for a farmer to start getting returns, which forces many small-scale operators to fizzle out, he added.
He revealed that his organisation was working with the Indigenous Crocodile Association and was helping its members with hatchlings to start their own projects.
“So far we have assisted breeders in Chinhoyi, Mhangura, Lions Den and Raffingora,” he said.
Also at the same site with the crocodile project is a Fish Project sitting on 10ha of land in 36 ponds.
“Initially, we produced fish for the crocodiles but we later realised that we could also provide cheap protein to the community surrounding the project. We sell the fish at US$2 per kilogramme, while crocodile meat is priced at US$1 per kilogramme. Some people even buy the fish and later resale elsewhere at higher prices. They are making an income from the fish trade,” commented Mr McCauley.
Mwenezi Crocodile Project currently has 11 000 reptiles earmarked for the market, while the other 1 500 is there for breeding. They slaughter 150 crocodiles every day. The crocodile project employs 230 local people, while the cattle project in the other section of the Nuanetsi Ranch employs between 800 and 900 people depending on the time of the year.
Online Reporter