The Ministry of Agriculture wishes to inform ostrich farmers, all stakeholders in the ostrich industry and the general public that the Ostrich Abattoir in Gaborone has been licensed to slaughter ostriches for export to external markets including the European Union (EU). The ostrich abattoir was closed in 2010 due to inadequate supply of ostriches.

Licensing of the abattoir to export to international markets should provide a stimulus for growth of the ostrich industry which had, hitherto, gone into oblivion owing to the absence of outlets for ostrich products. The Ministry further encourages dormant and aspiring ostrich farmers to take full advantage of this development by reviving their ostrich farms and venturing into ostrich production. The abattoir has a capacity to slaughter 20 000 ostriches per annum.