South Africa's ostrich industry can sidestep the ban on its products imposed by the European Union (EU) due to avian flu, by selling heat-processed meat.
The EU ban does not apply to meat that has been "precooked" for just three seconds at 70°C.
As a result, the Klein Karoo International, based in Oudtshoorn and specialising in heat-processed ostrich steaks, goulash and strips has received an order from Germany for 40 tons of heat-treated ostrich meat, says managing director Johan Stumpf.
Farmers sell the heat-processed meat at a lower price than raw ostrich meat, but the processed product does guarantee an all-year export market, unaffected by the avian flu ban.
by
Editor WorldPoultry
Apr 13, 2012