For the Birds
Apparently niger seed is overcoming coffee to become Ethiopia's biggest export, according to Timbuktu Chronicles.Niger seed, neug in Amharic, or "black gold" according to "birdseed experts" (you can be an expert in ANYTHING, clearly) is sold to the US for over a dollar a pound, to be marketed as the "mercedes of bird seed" in the States. Typically, niger seed is used in Ethiopia for cheap cooking oil, and was only recently discovered as a source of substantial income, meeting the apparently insatiable birdseed needs of binocular-toting, finch-loving Statesdwellers.
Interesting niche in the market to fill...Hopefully, this trade is fattening both the finches and the farmers. Just goes to show that Midas' gift works in mysterious ways...and banks on the eccentric tastes of the overdeveloped world. Incidentally, some of the best birdwatching in the world is in Ethiopia. I suppose it's a sort of justice that the best birdseed should originate here as well.
posted by Margot @ 11:32 AM
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