VALUE CHAIN PERSPECTIVE:

GAME MEAT PRODUCTION

Adri Kitshoff-Botha

on behalf of Dr Peter Oberem

WRSA (Wildlife Ranching South Africa)

THE NEED

The world population is predicted to reach 9 billion by

2050.

Need to double food (esp. protein)

production in the next 32 years

Not possible in Europe/N. America

- All suitable agricultural space

occupied

- Already employ the most modern

technologies

Africa has space and room to improve the

utilization of modern technologies

0

2

4

6

8

10

18001850

19001950

20002050

World Population Growth

Industrialised Regions Developing Regions

AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL IN SOUTH AFRICA

-Low and erratic rainfall (<1/2 world average)

- Comparatively shallow and poor soils

- High evaporation

Hence: difficult to compete using conventional

agriculture such as

Domestic livestock production

Crop production

SOLUTION #1: CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

Improved technologies

- Nutritional

- Access to veterinary medicines

Primary Animal Health Care (PAHC)

- 90% of beef reaching the shelves is from the

7m commercially farmed cattle

- 10% is from the 7m cattle owned by small-

scale owners mainly in the communal areas

Communal Commercial

SOLUTION #2 : WILDLIFE RANCHING

Game animals utilize more of the sun’s energy by

grazing and browsing all available vegetation cf.

livestock

Better for the environment, (overgrazing and bush

encroachment)

Generally better adapted over centuries to parasites

and parasite-borne diseases, e.g. heartwater; redwater.

Generally better adapted to toxic plants that are

deadly for domestic stock, e.g. Gifblaar; Gousiekte…

SOLUTION #2 : WILDLIFE RANCHING (CONT)

Various estimates of 6 – 20 million game animals;

::: 10million

Conservative reproductive rate on ranches: 40% pa

::: 10 million @ 40%= 4 million animals available annually

Average carcass weight = 100kg (wildebeest)

::: 4m @ 100kg = 400 000 000 kg / 400 000 tons available annually

(cf. 175 000 tons of beef produced annually)

200 000 tons of “meat” @ an average of R75/kg = R15 billion income annually.

SOLUTION #2: WILDLIFE RANCHING

BREEDING

• Reaching maturity as a market

• Likely to resemble structure of stud breeding of livestock

HUNTING

• South African hunting:

• International hunters species fees:

TOURISM

• Cherry on top of the primary product

PRODUCTS

• Game Meat: South African: R3.9b. Intrntl R1.38b

• Curio, petfood, jewellery, etc.

GAME RANCHING: DIVERSITY = SUSTAINABILITY

SOLUTION #2: WILDLIFE RANCHING (GAME MEAT)

Game meat is DIFFERENT,

Globally scarce – a delicacy which can command a

higher price.

Healthy

- Protein content higher

- Fat content lower

- Iron and other beneficial vitamins and omega

fats higher

- pH lower giving better shelf-life

Huge demand internationally.

CURRENT SUPPLY CHAIN MODEL

92% OF FOOD PRODUCED BY 30,000 FARMERS FOR 55millionCONSUMERS

PROPOSED (GAMPO) SUPPLY CHAIN

OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE ENTERPRISES AND ENTREPRENEURS

IN CLOSING

WILDLIFE RANCHING as industry became mature in sense of

supply/demand

(Stud breeding will continue at a lower level more akin to what is seen with other

domestic livestock)

Game meat production, harvesting and processing is set to grow dramatically

huge opportunity to unlock socio economic opportunities

- urgent need for finalisation of game meat regulations

(last comments submitted 1yr ago – 9 years pending!)

THANK YOU

www.wrsa.co.za