Poultry industry in crisis: stop exporting our jobs
Meat import volumes have increased tenfold since 2009, from about 3,500 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes per month
The South African agriculture industry is facing a silent crisis caused by the recent significant increase of chicken imports into South Africa. Import volumes have increased tenfold since 2009, from about 3,500 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes per month. This unchecked influx arises from the North American and European markets’ preference for white meat, resulting in brown-meat cuts being dumped in South Africa – often at prices that undercut local producers. The impact on the local poultry industry has been devastating, with reports of numerous farms being sold, operations discontinued and countless jobs lost. If this growing flood of imports remains unchecked, it will result in the collapse of the local poultry industry. Due to the interdependence of various industries, such a collapse will be more severe than what is obvious at first glance. For every 700kg of chicken on the shelf, one tonne of maize is required to feed the chickens. The poultry industry consumes a significant part of th...
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