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FLIPPIE CLOETE,
Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North-West University
Estimations suggest that South Africa has more than 18,6 million head
of game that roam on more than 20 million ha of agricultural land.
FOCUS
Special
Animals
Growth expectations for the
South African game ranching industry
T
he tremendous growth and development of the game ranch-
ing industry is clearly visible throughout South Africa. Not
only are fences and other supporting infrastructure spring-
ing up all over the country, but estimations suggest that
South Africa has more than 18,6 million head of game (Du Toit, 2007)
that roam on more than 20 million ha of agricultural land.
Though, to date, growth and development within the different seg-
ments have largely been uneven and driven primarily by the profita-
bility of the respective segments and/or activities within the different
segments. For example, in the early- to late-1990s, innovation and
development were focused on the consumptive and non-consump-
tive utilisation of wildlife.
During this period, the industry prospered on the back of economic
and ecological benefits that were realised through hunting, eco-tour-
ism and related activities. Since the early- to mid-2000s, the focus
shifted towards the breeding of higher value and/or colour and mor-
phological variants.
More recently, the breeding of exceptional genetic quality animals
(irrespective of whether it is higher value, colour and/or morphologi-
cal variants or plain game) have also come to the fore. As a result,
developments during the past decade have been primarily focused
“
Game ranching in South Africa
is unique, not only in terms
of species diversity, but also
in terms of our institutional
environment...
“
on supporting the live breeding segment, i.e. research and develop-
ment in terms of breeding practices, ve erinary services, phar-
maceuticals, capture and translocation, supplement feeding and
auction platforms.
Economic contribution
Currently, the economic contribution from the live game breed-
ing and supported industries is estimated to be well in excess of
R10 billion, notably more than the contribution from hunting (Cloete
et al
., 2015).
The value of game animals sold on formal auctions alone has in-
creased from R93 million in 2005 to more than R1,8 billion in 2014
– an estimated average annual increase of 26% over the past nine
years. However, it is unlikely that the growth rate of the past will be
repeated in the future.
Current prices and the successive profitability of live breeding, es-
pecially in terms of higher value and/or colour and morphological
variants, are likely to decline in future; once supply exceeds demand.
Although live breeding will remain central in terms of economic con-
tribution and the successive growth of the game ranching industry,
it is expected that the growth rate and the successive contribution
from the specific segment will be lower in future.
Growth in the hunting segment
Notable growth was also reported by the hunting segment of the
game ranching industry since the mid-2000s – growing from an esti-
mated R3,1 billion in 2005 to R6,3 billion in 2013 (Van der Merwe and
Saayman, 2005; 2013).
From a local (biltong) hunting perspective, the growth in economic
value was mainly due to an increase in related spending (i.e. food,
fuel, accommodation and ammunition) and not so much as a result
of an increase in animal prices or in terms of the number of animals
hunted.
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October 2015