Why rabbit farming is a growth industry
Rabbit production was first noted as a possible solution to the looming food crisis in 1978. Since then, there has been a slow and steady shift in demand for rabbit meat from first world countries, mainly in Europe, to third world countries, and as is often the case, supply has followed demand. More and more rabbit farmers are starting up in developing countries, and those countries are also adopting rabbit products, including meat, as part of their culture.
One of the main reasons for this growth in rabbit production among small business owners around the world is cost.
For the farmer, rabbit farming is an attractive industry, due to the low initial investment, the small space that commercial rabbit farming requires compared to other types of livestock. With a rabbit breeding plan, the speed with which the rabbits are ready for sale is also attractive. All this means that rabbit farming is a high-return business, where shares quickly turn into profit.
That cost savings for the farmer has also translated into cost savings for the consumer, and that’s why in developing countries like Trinidad, Cameroon, and Kenya, rabbit is becoming a popular meat choice. It’s much cheaper than other types of meat in most cases, and it also offers impressively competitive stats in terms of nutritional value.
Another reason for the growth of the rabbit farming industry is that rabbits, unlike sheep, cows, and other animals, also do not compete with humans for food. They do not need cereals or grasses, and the best commercial feed, which provides optimal nutrition, is hay or alfalfa. These are crops that do not serve as food for humans.
The final reason for the growth in demand for rabbit meat is that it is not subject to social and religious taboos like beef or pork. Jewish, Islamic and Hindu believers can eat rabbit, while pork and beef are off the menu.
It is not just farmers and consumers who are realizing that rabbit farming is a solution to a number of problems. Governments and food organizations around the world have also recognized that rabbits provide an easy, nutritious and sustainable food source, and have been working to promote the use of rabbits as a food source. As that promotion continues, we are likely to see a continued increase in the number of commercial rabbit production companies.
It is clear, when you consider that the demand for commercially farmed rabbit meat exceeds one million tonnes a year, that rabbit farming is a lucrative business opportunity, especially in the developing world. So if you are looking for an opportunity to enter a growing industry, why not consider rabbit farming?