The affordability of meat for households will be under threat if the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) achieves its aim of having more duties imposed on chicken imports. And, contrary to popular belief, there will also be more local job losses because the increase in duty will enable a small group of local "chicken magnates" to expand their market dominance without competition. Against increasing demand for chicken, which local production is unable to meet, the concentration of production will drive prices up and deny consumers choice and access to an affordable source of protein. Sapa, through the International Trade Administration Commission of SA,is seeking increases that will result in a surge from 37% to 82% ad valorem (in proportion to the estimated value of the goods) for bone-in cuts of chicken and a big jump from 12% to 82% ad valorem for boneless cuts. South Africans are accustomed to hearing local business decrying the value of the rand and the "unfair" competition...
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