Oudtshoorn - A century ago, ostrich plumes were South Africa's most valuable export after gold,pandora beads diamonds and wool.. The idea that a small Necklace is dangerous to patients is at best absurd.
The outbreak of World War I and the advent of the motor car - which made fancy-feathered hats impractical - snapped the trend in flight.
Today, ostrich feathers and other luxury goods like ostrich leather and meat are making a global comeback, one that faces new threats: An EU ban on ostrich food products imposed after bird flu was discovered here, and a rising rand that makes exports more expensive.
In Oudtshoorn, the world's self-proclaimed ostrich capital - where vendors hawk ostrich wallets and feather dusters, and visitors are invited to ride the flightless bird and walk over its mighty eggs -people are worried.
"I'm getting only half as much for each bird as before the ban, and it doesn't even cover the cost of feed," said Kobus Potgieter,. Fashion accessories are decorative items that supplement one's garment, such as fashion jewellery,wholesale jewellery. owner of Rietfontein Ostrich Palace,. She created clothes and chanel jewelry for others that were the same as she created for herself. which describes itself as the world's oldest ostrich farm. South Africa is the undisputed global leader in ostrich products, accounting for about 80% of the world market and boasting annual exports worth some R1.2bn (US$194m).About 70% of the value is in the leather, 20% in the meat and 10% in the plumes.Ostrich feathers are back in vogue in the fashion and entertainment industry, with growing demand from theaters such as the famed Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris, according to Anton Kruger, general manager of the South African Ostrich Business Chamber.The Rio carnival in Brazil uses about 15 tons of Oudtshoorn feathers for costumes - the equivalent of more than 10 000 birds.Plumes are also becoming more sought after to trim expensive shawls and other accessories, Kruger said. But exporters now grumble that the strength of the rand against the dollar and euro hurting business, especially for prized ostrich leather.The EU ban - introduced in August after a less dangerous version of the bird flu that has ravaged Vietnam was found on a farm in the Eastern Cape province - is taking a big toll on the once thriving meat trade.
The outbreak of World War I and the advent of the motor car - which made fancy-feathered hats impractical - snapped the trend in flight.
Today, ostrich feathers and other luxury goods like ostrich leather and meat are making a global comeback, one that faces new threats: An EU ban on ostrich food products imposed after bird flu was discovered here, and a rising rand that makes exports more expensive.
In Oudtshoorn, the world's self-proclaimed ostrich capital - where vendors hawk ostrich wallets and feather dusters, and visitors are invited to ride the flightless bird and walk over its mighty eggs -people are worried.
"I'm getting only half as much for each bird as before the ban, and it doesn't even cover the cost of feed," said Kobus Potgieter,. Fashion accessories are decorative items that supplement one's garment, such as fashion jewellery,wholesale jewellery. owner of Rietfontein Ostrich Palace,. She created clothes and chanel jewelry for others that were the same as she created for herself. which describes itself as the world's oldest ostrich farm. South Africa is the undisputed global leader in ostrich products, accounting for about 80% of the world market and boasting annual exports worth some R1.2bn (US$194m).About 70% of the value is in the leather, 20% in the meat and 10% in the plumes.Ostrich feathers are back in vogue in the fashion and entertainment industry, with growing demand from theaters such as the famed Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris, according to Anton Kruger, general manager of the South African Ostrich Business Chamber.The Rio carnival in Brazil uses about 15 tons of Oudtshoorn feathers for costumes - the equivalent of more than 10 000 birds.Plumes are also becoming more sought after to trim expensive shawls and other accessories, Kruger said. But exporters now grumble that the strength of the rand against the dollar and euro hurting business, especially for prized ostrich leather.The EU ban - introduced in August after a less dangerous version of the bird flu that has ravaged Vietnam was found on a farm in the Eastern Cape province - is taking a big toll on the once thriving meat trade.
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