Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare residents are now resorting to crocodile meat, as other alternatives of meat have gone way beyond the reach of many owing to exorbitant prices.

Culturally and religiously, crocodile meat is not popular with many black Zimbabweans who associate the animal with various superstitions and beliefs.

Out of the 8 butcheries at Mbare Musika bus terminus, only 3 had no croc meat in stock. An unnamed butchery in Mbare confirmed selling crocodile meat, which they said has become popular with the residents.

“Croc meat goes for $50 million per kg as compared to beef which costs $200 million per kg or chicken at $180 million per kg.”

“We source the meat from a number of farms around Harare although supplies are limited,” said the butcher man.

Zimbabwe, which is currently waiting for the announcement of the March 29 Presidential elections, is in its eighth year of economic recession. The ever-increasing record high inflation has not spared the ordinary man as prices of goods and services sky-rocket almost twice a week.

Many people are failing to have normal meals, worst having meat everyday. It has suddenly become a luxury as people opt for vegetables and other cheaper alternatives.

A salesman in another butchery also confirmed selling croc meat.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with croc meat basing on the fact that many people are buying the meat.”

“In some countries, such as USA, South Africa and even here in Zimbabwe, the tail meat is processed into deep frozen fillets which are marketed to restaurants and hotels. The remainder may be used as animal feed, but we have just opted to sell it,” he said.

In Asian countries, any reptile meat is popular with the indigenous population, and crocodile meat is offered either fresh or in dried form on local markets.

A Harare resident, Moses Chirinda indicated he tasted croc meat last week at a canteen near his workplace in the Graniteside industrial area.

“Crocodile meat is not bad. It is just as good as any other meat. Tastes like chicken,” he said.

Chirinda said he was introduced to the meat by his workmates, who had bought sadza and croc meat during lunch time.

Around the world, slaughtered crocodiles are flayed from top to bottom keeping the belly part intact as the commercial value of a crocodile hide depends on the width of the belly portion only.

Skins are then cured with salt or brine for shipment to specialised tanneries. Only exceptionally are they sold locally or even tanned at the farm, as for example, in Singapore.

According to experts, crocodile farming is an important and lucrative activity in Zimbabwe which provides meat for human consumption and skins for the luxury leather industry. Owing to its economic value to this otherwise unfriendly animal, farming crocodiles has a positive side effect on the conservation of this species in the wild.

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