BUSINESS REPORTER
Zimbabwe’s rabbit industry has received a major boost amid indications that Botswana’s Northern Rabbit Breeders Association (NORBA) wants the Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (ZICORBA) to supply 1.5 tonnes of rabbit meat monthly.
The interest by Botswana comes as the local cuniculture sector is poised for growth to tap into the growing demand on the continent and China.
NORBA president Timbu Iris Ntjenje told a series of workshops held for farmers in Botswana recently that local production was lagging behind although demand for rabbit meat was on the rise in the country.
“We have approached our friends in Zimbabwe to supply us with rabbit meat to meet local demand while we ramp up our production. NORBA is looking for about 1.5 tonnes of rabbit meat from Zimbabwe per month to start with,” Ntjenje said.
“We see our cooperation with ZICORBA expanding to other areas of common interests.” NORBA also wants to import breeding stock from Zimbabwe and to train its farmers to increase biosecurity.
The export to Botswana, if consummated, will be a boost for the two-year old ZICORBA which has brought in professionalism in rabbit production.
ZICORBA president Regis Nyamakanga told Business Times last month that demand for rabbit meat is on the increase.
“There is potential for export meat into other African countries and China which has demand in excess of 400,000 tonnes per year. We received numerous inquiries from Botswana, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo for us to supply them with rabbit meat,” Nyamakanga said.
He said the industry will generate over US$3m from domestic sales in the next 5 years, driven by access to affordable breeding stocks which Raymeg has been supplying on the market, and availability of funding. Domestic sales currently stand at US$250,000.
Nyamakanga said ZICORBA had forged strategic alliances with rabbit associations in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, Nigeria and Botswana.
“We aim to be among the top 3 rabbit producers in Africa in the next 5 years,” Nyamakanga said, adding that South Africa has approached the association as it wants to sell three rabbit abattoirs that are struggling to stay afloat.
