General
What are Mopani Worms?
Mopani worms are caterpillars that feed on Mopani trees. They are a species of Emperor moth native to Southern Africa and are edible insects rich in protein, fibre and minerals.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Genus: Imbrasia
Species: I. belina (Westwood, 1849)
Derivation of scientific name: unknown, although the name is also sometimes given as Gonimbrasia belina.
Common names: Mopani worm, Mopani moth, emperor moth (English); phane (Setswana); tomani, xonja (Xitsonga); mashonzha (Venda); Mopanie wurm, Mopanie mot (Afrikaans); mašotša (Sepedi)
Where do Mopani Worms come from?
Mopani worms live in the warmer parts of Southern Africa and in Limpopo province in South Africa. They feed predominantly, but not only, on Mopani trees.
How are Mopani Worms sourced?
Mopani worms are a traditional source of nutrition for people in Southern Africa. They hare hand-picked twice a year, gutted, and preserved in salt.
Are Mopani worms healthy?
Mopani worms contain about 60% protein and are rich in iron, calcium and phosphorus making them a healthy protein alternative.
Our Mopani worms come from remote Mopani tree forest in Limpopo. They are all natural, organic and free from chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides and hormones.
are Mopani Worms sustainable?
It takes approximately 3 kgs of feed (Mopani leaves) to yield 1 kg of Mopani worms. In contrast cattle farming requires an average of 10 kgs of feed for 1 kg of beef. Mopani worms offer a low impact crop with multiple high protein benefits.
Sustainability is one of our values
To avoid overharvesting, we work closely with our cultivating communities to make sure it happens in a controlled and environmentally sustaining way. Our harvesting amount is capped also for this reason.
We aim to invest 10% of our profit back into developing of the communities in rural Limpopo. We believe that by educating and upskilling youth in Limpopo, we can enable them not to depend on picking and selling of Mopani worms as major source of income.
Are Mopani worms vegan/vegetarian?
Insects are a sustainable source of protein with minimal impact on the environment. Mopani worms are living organisms, but they are not ‘meat’.
If the product is sold out, will you be selling it again?
Absolutely, we recommend you place your name on the waiting list.
How many items of one product can I buy?
There is no limit to the number of products you can purchase. For bulk, resellers or wholesale information, contact us at info@matomani.co.za
Payment and Deliveries
How will my order be delivered?
You have choice of courier delivery or collection from a nearby counter delivery store.
What is the cost of delivery?
Delivery price varies based on delivery location and the number of items purchased. The price of transport is calculated and displayed in the shopping cart before completing your order.
How long will it take to Deliver my order?
Your order will be as soon as your payment is confirmed. South African customers can expect their delivery in 1 to 3 working days dependent on location. If you’re an international customer, please contact us for further information on delivery in your country.
Can I track my order?
Please e-mail info@matomani.co.za if you need more information regarding your delivery.
Can I order products from outside South Africa?
Yes, you can order from anywhere in the world. For international deliveries pricing is calculated by the weight of product. We cannot accept any responsibility for products imported into other countries, and purchases are made at your own risk.
What payment options can I use?
You have a choice of using a Credit card, Debit card, Manual EFT, or Zapper.
Returns and Refunds
What is your return & refund policy?
Orders cancelled prior to dispatch are fully refunded. Should you not be happy with your order once received contact us at info@matomani.co.za
Can I return product that I ordered?
We do not accept returns or exchanges for our products because of food safety regulations. All sales are final, however if you are unhappy with your product for any reason, please contact us at info@matomani.co.za
