How to Market Rabbit Meat and Make Good Money
Marketing is the number one problem with rabbit raisers in Kenya today. In theory, the demand is great considering the current population explosion and world wide food shortages. In actuality, the demand for rabbit meat is either too high or too low for the rabbit producers to supply.
Presently, the lack of statistical data concerning the feasibility or the marketability of rabbit meat plagues the backyard and commercial rabbit entrepreneur. Hopefully, in the future, with the involvement of national government agencies and private organizations in rabbit production as an alternative protein source, there will be studies conducted on the various potentials and/or detriments of this field for the entrepreneur to utilize as guidelines.
Marketing prospects should be located and developed promptly when one engages in rabbit production. The FIRST market for meat is the family, neighbors, towns and cities within the locality. Rabbit meat can then be sold in dressed form to hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and open markets. Rabbit barbecue can be sold by sidewalk vendors. But if we are to succeed at all we must successfully market the IDEA of eating rabbit meat to ALL strata of the population…not only to the middle and upper class but, to the strata that compose the majority of the populace… the grass roots. WE must in fact convince ourselves before convincing others!
Rabbits have the advantage of early maturity, fast growth rate, high prolificacy, high feed conversion efficiency and economical utilization of space. They convert 20% of their protein intake into meat, compared to pigs and cattle, which convert between 16% to 18% and 8% to 12%, respectively.
If the potential of the rabbit industry is well understood and explored, it will reduce poverty, improve food and nutritional security, and contribute to economic development. Rabbit meat would offer a cheap and affordable source of protein for many rural households.
REMEMBER: YOU and your community are the FIRST and BEST market before expanding sales to hotels, restaurants, etc.
Market rabbit meat strategy
a) Rear and process own rabbit meat
b) Hire a rabbit meat processor
c) Selling live rabbits to a rabbit meat processor
d) Form a local group of rabbit farmers and process your own rabbit meat
You make better profits for your hard work.
e) Slaughter and sell your own rabbit meat
c) Add value to rabbit meat
Conclusion
Rabbit meat is a healthy product of high nutritional value. It is tender white meat almost free of cholesterol which can replace chicken. The dietary properties of rabbit meat suggest high recommendation for frequent consumption, especially by children and adolescents, pregnant women, athletes and the elderly.
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