South Africa: The Global Leader

South Africa remains the undisputed leader in ostrich farming, contributing approximately 75% of the global market share[3]. The country's ostrich industry is primarily concentrated in the Oudtshoorn region of the Western Cape, known as the "ostrich capital of the world". While exact numbers are not available, it's estimated that there are several hundred ostrich farms in South Africa, ranging from small-scale operations to large commercial enterprises[4].

United States: A Growing Industry

The United States has seen significant growth in ostrich farming since the 1980s. While precise numbers are difficult to obtain, it's estimated that there are several hundred ostrich farms across the country. States with notable ostrich farming activity include Texas, Oklahoma, California, and Arizona[4].

European Union: A Developing Sector

Several European countries have embraced ostrich farming, albeit on a smaller scale compared to South Africa. Notable countries include:

• Spain: Approximately 1,000 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• Italy: Around 1,000 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• Portugal: Estimated 2,000 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• Germany: Approximately 2,500 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• United Kingdom: Estimated 10,000-12,000 ostriches as of the late 1990s, including about 2,000 breeding females[2]

Middle East and North Africa

Several countries in this region have developed ostrich farming industries:

• Israel: Once a significant producer, but current numbers are unclear[4]
• Egypt: Has a history of ostrich farming, but current statistics are not readily available[5]
• United Arab Emirates: Estimated 40,000 ostriches as of 2015, primarily for the domestic market[4]

Asia and Oceania

Several countries in these regions have embraced ostrich farming:

• China: Rapidly growing industry, but exact numbers are not available[7]
• Australia: Estimated 15,000 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• New Zealand: Approximately 15,000 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• Philippines: Several ostrich farms established since 1996, but exact numbers are not available[6]

Africa (excluding South Africa)

Several African countries have developed ostrich farming industries:

• Zimbabwe: Once a significant producer with about 30,000 birds before 2000, but the industry has since declined significantly[8]
• Botswana: Estimated 15,000 ostriches as of 2015[4]
• Namibia: Once a significant producer, but current numbers are unclear[4]

Conclusion

While South Africa remains the global leader in ostrich farming, the industry has spread to numerous countries across six continents. The exact number of ostrich farms worldwide is difficult to determine due to the lack of centralized data collection in many countries. However, it's clear that ostrich farming has become a global industry with significant potential for growth in many regions[7].