For a long time, biltong has had a hard time gaining acceptance on American shores. The reason, of course, is twofold. First, America and beef jerky go hand in hand. Secondly, there were (outdated) food regulations by the FDA about drying and cooking meat. Enter, Stryve Biltong with their bold slogan: “Biltong is what jerky wants to be.” Keep on reading for this interesting story we’ve got to tell you.
No official estimates have been given for the annual production of biltong in South Africa. However, sources state that several large producers ship over 100 tons of biltong yearly. The total annual production is thought to be thousands of tons. In 2019, Closwa Biltong, Namibia’s largest biltong manufacturer, produced up to 1660 tonnes of product per annum. There are few countries in the world where biltong is as popular as it is in Namibia. Millions of locals and tourists enjoy it every day, and the finest brands are exported throughout Africa.