July 27, 2007

South Africa's Country Bird expands into fish farming

Country Bird, a poultry producer operating in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, announce plans to venture into the fish farming business.

The company currently has about 10 percent of the poultry market and is confident the growth trend would continue. CEO Kevin James says the company is investigating fish farming in Zambia and a chicken operation in Namibia.

The company hopes both facilities will be operational by the end of 2008.

A tilapia farm in Zambia is also in the works, along with a breeding, broiler and abattoir operation in Namibia.

The company's poultry division contributes about 75 percent of the group's revenue and produces 1,1-million chickens a week. However, it has capacity to produce 1.35 million chickens a week.