Crocodile farming, an industry struggling to survive in Zimbabwe

Chengetai Zvauya

Harare, Sep 17 (EFE).- Zimbabwe's crocodile farming industry, a global powerhouse in the sector, faces various challenges to survive, such as the depressed skin market, which failed to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, when an oversupply and halted sales hit the sector.

Crocodile skin is among Zimbabwe's main sources of foreign currency, boosting employment and economic growth, and its exports reach Europe, Asia, and other global markets.

But "the industry has faced challenges that have slowed its growth in recent years, to the point where only 13 registered crocodile farms remain in operation, compared to 47 at its peak in 1992," Jimmyson Kazangarare, president of the Crocodile Breeders Association of Zimbabwe (CFAZ), told EFE.

This situation is due, in part, to punitive 30% retentions on all export earnings, exorbitant water rates, a lack of long-term loans, pollution from mining activities, and the effects of climate change.

The industry recorded an 18% decrease in the number of salted and wet hides exported, from 86,454 in 2023 to 70,976 in 2024, as the value of salted hides increased by 8.68% due to improvements in quality and size, according to CFAZ.

The luxury fur market demands quality requirements, such as adequate food and water for the animals, which, if not met, can make the final product more expensive.

“We have seen the establishment of regulations and standards to control crocodile farming. Animal welfare and compliance issues have taken center stage, making it one of the most regulated industries in the country,” Kazangarare adds.

A sensitive industry

For the Permanent Secretary of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Obert Jiri, crocodile farming is a sensitive industry that requires careful management, but one that performs well globally, generating much-needed foreign exchange for the sector.

"Our crocodile farmers across the country are doing wonders despite their small numbers. The government continues to work and monitor them, requiring annual reports under the supervision of the Department of Fisheries," Jiri told EFE. In the town of Binga (northwest), for example, a farm currently raises 600 crocodiles for breeding, with the skin as the main product and the meat intended for domestic consumption.

The farm is the district's largest employer, supporting livelihoods and boosting the local economy.

Crocodile skin exports increased from $22 million to $34 million in 2023, creating 1,600 direct jobs, according to official data. Zimbabwe is the world's second-largest exporter of Nile crocodile products, leading the market with a global market share of nearly 45%.

However, since the pandemic, exports of this reptile's meat have not resumed, and breeders are seeking alternative markets.

"We need to promote local consumption of crocodile meat and try to find regional and continental markets that can consume it," Kazangarare emphasizes. Crocodile is considered an important source of protein and could prove useful in a country facing food insecurity caused by drought.

Crocodile attacks

Another problem facing farmers is the increasing number of crocodile attacks on humans. The CFAZ (Central African Crocodile Association) estimated the number of deaths at 107 out of a total of 167 attacks between 2015 and 2024, the majority of which were against fishermen or people in coastal areas. “Regarding crocodile attack statistics, Zimbabwe ranked second only to Zambia as the worst country in Africa in terms of the number of attacks between 2015 and 2024,” says Kazangarare.

In 2022, 35 deaths were recorded, the highest annual figure, while 37 attacks were recorded in 2021. The northern town of Kariba topped the list in both attacks and deaths, followed by Binga.

Zimbabwe has more than 12,000 wild Nile crocodiles in the north of the country, with relatively stable populations. In some wetlands, such as Lake Kariba, the population has even seen slight increases, exceeding 10,000 individuals.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), in collaboration with CFAZ, monitors these populations through counts and nesting data tracking, allowing for an assessment of overall population status.