Ostrich farming has taken off in the Balearics

More and more farmers in the Balearics are turning to ostrich farming, which is expanding rapidly, particularly in Minorca and Majorca. The exotic birds have no difficulty adapting to the climate and they are easy to care for. They are also more profitable than other livestock. The ministry classifies ostriches as “domestic animals“ and so the farms are treated in the same way as those which raise sheep or cattle. And such is the importance of the market, that the Balearic government's stand at the food fair which is now being held in Barcelona includes patés, smoked meat and other prodcuts from two ostrich farms, Mallorca Estruç (the Catalan word for ostrich) and Marjal Nova in Minorca.