The South African Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) was established to advance the ostrich industry in South Africa, through promotion, marketing, research, production, sustainability and ethical practices.
The South African Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) promotes ostriches and ostrich products that include ostrich meat, ostrich leather, ostrich feathers, commercial farming, ostrich arts and crafts and ostrich tourism. Since the onset of ostrich farming in 1863, South Africa has been a leader in the ostrich industry with a major share of the global market. This is partly due to South Africa’s climatic conditions and the local experience and expertise in the field.
Ostriches are bred to have a mass of about 90kg in natural surroundings according to free range principles on privately owned farms. This results in the production of quality meat, leather and feathers. The SAOBC keeps a record of registered ostrich abattoirs in South Africa where ostrich meat is portioned into different cut requirements before it is vacuum packed, labelled and placed in cold storage until dispatched.
Quality management systems ensure the safety of the ostrich meat produced through testing and monitoring during the production process.
The South African Ostrich Business Chamber maintains a similar quality management system in the production of ostrich leather, which is highly sought after for its style, texture, exclusivity, individuality and value. Produced primarily from ostrich body and leg skin, the properties and consistent supply of South African ostrich leather has awarded it with its impeccable reputation with international fashion designers for garments, accessories and custom leather furniture.
It can be tanned and processed according to its end product. Ostrich feathers are as sought after for fashionable boas and capes to name a few. Ostrich feathers are harvested from juvenile ostriches and are soft, warm and virtually symmetrical.
The manufacturing of beautiful, interesting and practical arts and craft items and ostrich tourism also forms a lucrative and integral part of the ostrich industry in South Africa.
South Africa was the first country in the world where ostrich farming started on a commercial basis, in the mid-1820s feathers were harveste...