Because of limited demand for ostrich products in Europe, sustainable Ostrich farming only started professionally in the 1980’s. Nowadays, ostriches are farmed primarily for leather and only secondarily for their low fat, low cholesterol meat.
Unlike cowhide, ostrich leather has a unique and distinctive pattern, formed by thousands of quill marks. The natural oils inherent in ostrich skin make this leather more resistant to cracking, stiffening and drying. Therefore, fashion houses use the leather for the production of shoes, jackets, handbags and belts.