Source: Crocodile skin exports rise 56 percent – herald Patience Maturure Agriculture Reporter Zimbabwe’s crocodile farming industry has emerged as a key contributor to the country’s economy, amid a surge in exports of high-quality skin products to Europe and other parts of the world, which have generated significant jobs and stimulated economic growth This comes as the crocodile skin exports surged by 56 percent in 2023, from US$22 million to US $34 million, while supporting roughly 1 600 direct jobs last year Directorate of Veterinary Services chief director Dr Pious Makaya said this while conducting a tour of Binga Crocodile Farm recently He said the visit was aimed at exploring ways to boost crocodile production for export markets in Europe, Asia and globally The farm’s company veterinarian, Dr Noble Sakuringwa, said the operation’s strength had over 600 breeding crocodiles, with skin as the flagship product and meat catering to domestic consumers “The major product in crocodile farming is the skin; meat is just a by-product We sell meat to local people and we have markets in Victoria Falls “We used to send to Belgium, but because there is a reduction in our capacity, it is no longer viable to send a container to Belgium,” he said He said the farm stood as the largest employer in the Binga District, anchoring livelihoods and driving the local economy Dr Makaya said crocodile farming was becoming a significant new commodity for Zimbabwe, alongside other emerging industries like aquaculture and edible insects “The Directorate of Veterinary Services is there to promote and facilitate the trade of animals and animal products, including crocodiles and their products “We heard from the farmer, the vet for this property, saying that they were exporting to Europe and what we do is to make sure that the skins, crocodile meat and fillets go there because they are safe products for human consumption,” he said Dr Makaya said the industry’s expansion into Kariba’s markets would likely boost its growth, ultimately benefiting the nation and its economy “The crocodile industry is a significant contributor to Zimbabwe’s foreign exchange earnings, generating jobs and stimulating economic growth,” he said Crocodile farming is integral to Zimbabwe’s agricultural and wildlife economy Zimbabwe is one of the major exporters of Nile crocodile products and leads the Niloticus skin market with around 45 percent global share Originally published on Zimbabwe Situation All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com . Source: Zimbabwesituation
