BUSINESS DAY (Johannesburg, S Africa) 07 June 04 Zimbabwe to boost croc skin exports
Harare: Zimbabwe's crocodile farmers plan to breed more reptiles to meet growing demand in Asia for the skins.
Japan and Singapore are the main clients of Zimbabwe's Niloticus company which breeds the crocodiles in the northern resort town of Kariba, bordering Zambia.
"Our objective is to increase production from 40,000 to 100,000 skins by the year 2010," says Gary Sharp, the chief executive officer of Niloticus.
Sharp said his company runs the largest Nile crocodile farm in the world, which accounts for 70% of Zimbabwe's crocodile production. It has been breeding the reptiles for the past 11 years.
Niloticus exports raw crocodile skin to Asia as Zimbabwe does not have the tanning equipment to treat crocodile skin.
Crocodile skins are used for a variety of luxury leather goods such as handbags, belts, shoes, wallets and even briefcases for the well-heeled.
Zimbabwe to boost croc skin exports