Zimbabwe’s Raymeg Consultants launch rabbit biltong

ZIMBABWE – Raymeg Consultants Private Limited, a diversified company with operations in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, and Somalia, is adding a new product to Zimbabwe’s rabbit meat industry: rabbit biltong. 

Known as a popular air-dried, cured meat originating in South Africa, biltong has traditionally been made from beef and game meat, including ostrich and kudu. 

Raymeg’s rabbit-based version enters the market alongside the company’s earlier releases, such as rabbit polony and sausages, which have broadened the selection of rabbit products available in the country.

Paidamoyo Nyamakanga, Raymeg’s executive director, shared that the company’s goal is to increase rabbit meat’s appeal and accessibility in Zimbabwe by developing a range of unique, ready-to-eat products. 

Raymeg has introduced several other rabbit-based meals, such as roasted rabbit with sides, rabbit burgers, hot dogs, samosas, and pies, which have gained popularity among local consumers.

According to Nyamakanga, Raymeg is planning to export these value-added rabbit products to regional markets to support Zimbabwe’s foreign currency earnings. 

To bring their products closer to local consumers, Raymeg intends to open two additional restaurants in the Mufakose and Dzivarasekwa neighborhoods in Harare, where the community can directly access their rabbit meat offerings. 

The company already operates a rabbit grill and restaurant in Harare’s Waterfalls suburb and plans to expand through franchise arrangements in other major cities across Zimbabwe.

In addition to its recent product launches, Raymeg operates across several sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, communications, real estate, and retail, demonstrating a commitment to expanding the country’s agricultural and food production capabilities.

Earlier this year, Raymeg introduced rabbit sausages as part of its lineup, a move that industry stakeholders recognized as a significant advancement in Zimbabwe’s rabbit meat sector. 

The company, which is a member of the Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (Zicorba), opened a rabbit abattoir in Harare in 2020 with a processing capacity of 2.5 metric tons of rabbit meat per day.

Formed in 2020 by Zimbabwean rabbit farmers, Zicorba is the only organization representing rabbit breeders in the country and works to support industry growth through initiatives like Raymeg’s recent product innovations.

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