FairPlay founder Francois Baird underscores the vital connection between energy and food security in Africa, emphasising how the lack of electricity can adversely impact economies, social stability, and the fight against hunger and poverty.

South Africa’s high food price inflation is mainly attributed to persistent power cuts, or load shedding, which impacts essential food items, according to the Competition Commission’s September report.

Bird flu outbreaks are causing South African egg shortages and higher prices, with potential impacts on poultry meat prices in the coming weeks.

South African poultry producers will soon import avian influenza vaccines, providing a vital alternative to culling millions of healthy birds amidst bird flu outbreaks, particularly benefiting the hard-hit egg industry.

Despite low-priced dumped chicken imports in South Africa, consumers don’t experience cheaper chicken in retail stores, raising questions about where the profits are going.

Chicken importers in South Africa are making exaggerated claims about the impact of anti-dumping duties, mainly focusing on a 265% rate, but in reality, most imports face duties of only 2% to 7%. This raises doubts about the accuracy of their statements.

FairPlay is convening a national Food Security Summit at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on 2 November. The Summit will bring together leaders from various sectors, including government, to address South Africa’s pressing food security crisis.

South Africa’s food inflation rate is dropping but, at just under 10%, it remains stubbornly high.

A BFAP study highlights the need for investment in reducing high costs along Africa’s food value chain to combat food price inflation and make food more affordable.

AgriSA has issued a stark warning that the combined challenges of electricity shortages and surging fuel costs are poised to drive up food prices in stores.

Bird flu outbreaks, which have led to over four million chicken cullings and substantial financial losses, are now causing egg shortages in some areas, likely resulting in increased egg prices.

New Zealand scientists are researching lab-grown fruit tissue to combat climate-driven food shortages, but this process, including regulatory approvals, may still take years.

South African consumers will come under added pressure in the months ahead as increases in the price of chicken – the country’s most popular and most affordable meat protein – lead to agonising choices in retail stories.

As Rainbow moves towards independence, it plans to significantly boost chicken production and economic growth in the Hammarsdale community.

As South Africa’s poultry industry grapples with a resurgence of avian influenza and a lack of government compensation, it raises concerns of supply chain shortages.

Highlighting the ongoing struggles within South Africa’s poultry industry, the SA Poultry Association has raised concerns about the economic environment and the urgent need to remove VAT on chicken portions.

The World Bank warns of a global food crisis and projects continued hunger for up to 670 million people by 2030.

The New York Times cautions, as avian influenza extends its reach to mammals, that there is growing concern about the possibility of human transmission, highlighting the need for global pandemic preparedness.

The return to full production at the Rainbow plant in Hammarsdale, outside Durban, is a historic event. The plant was partly shuttered in 2017, due to rising levels of dumped chicken imports.

The Rainbow re-opening ceremony was attended by the two government ministers who signed the 2019 poultry master plan – trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel and agriculture minister Thoko Didiza.

DTIC Minister Ebrahim Patel emphasised the need to expand market share and exports while tackling issues such as dumping, high input costs, infrastructural constraints and environmental challenges.

Rainbow celebrated the re-opening of the Hammarsdale production plant as “a strategic leap forward” for the company.

Hammarsdale has special significance for FairPlay. The Hammarsdale closure, and the plight of the workers and communities affected, resulted in the launch of FairPlay as a movement opposed to dumping and unfair and illegal trade

China believes African countries will be able to feed themselves, and has promised Chinese investment to help the continent to achieve that objective.

Izaak Breitenbach of the SA Poultry Association discusses the impact of new anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports, focusing on potential industry relief and growth without significant effects on retail prices.

Journalists and publications have been led to believe that anti-dumping duties were all about retail prices. They have been put right by FairPlay founder Francois Baird.

South Africa’s chicken imports will hit a low point in 2023 and then rise over the next decade.

South Africa’s chicken imports for the first half of 2023 remain high, although monthly totals are dropping.

While South Africa continues to record one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, there is good news from the agricultural sector, where jobs are being created.

After a run of favourable publicity, alternatives to farmed meat, such as laboratory-grown food or plant-based meat alternatives, are meeting some resistance.

Anti-dumping duties are in place against five countries, and the sky has fallen. Except that it hasn’t, but chicken importers don’t tell you that. They like to pretend that disaster has happened and it’s only going to get worse.

The facts about anti-dumping duties were explained by FairPlay founder Francois Baird in a radio interview with Moneyweb.

The South African poultry industry is gearing up for a new export market, selling fresh and frozen chicken to Saudi Arabia.

Food security is one of the priority areas for agricultural co-operation between the five BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The international implications of the coup in Niger, particularly for the United States and France, were spelled out in a US publication by FairPlay founder Francois Baird.

As the implementation of carbon border taxes by the European Union approaches, South Africa grapples with the complexities of the issue.

The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) has released a statement in support of the decision to impose anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports from Brazil, Denmark, Poland, Ireland and Spain.

Having at last given the South African poultry industry the anti-dumping duties it should have had a year ago, Minister Patel should now fix the poultry master plan – chicken farmers face huge hurdles and industry growth initiatives are incomplete.

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) is delighted that the anti-dumping duties for which it applied are now in place, calling the duties a positive step towards ending unfair trade and promoting industry growth, while emphasising that the impact on retail chicken prices will be minimal.

The new anti-dumping duties came with a warning from Trade, Industry and Competition minister Ebrahim Patel that the duties would be suspended if the poultry industry used them to make unfair profits.

FairPlay has taken issue with the financial newspaper Business Day over a report predicting that the anti-dumping duties would result in a huge increase in the retail price of chicken.

The implementation of anti-dumping duties provoked an unfortunate reaction from South Africa’s official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.

Amidst sensational claims, a former meat industry CEO’s rational assessment sheds light on the realities of anti-dumping duties and their potential impact on chicken prices.

South Africa imposes anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports from Brazil and four EU countries.

These are the reasons why it would be a mistake for the US to kick South Africa out of Agoa.

FairPlay has reached out to nearly 50 stakeholders and organisations to gather support for the implementation of anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports.

FairPlay exposes the hollowness of the arguments made by chicken importers who are trying to persuade the government not to impose new anti-dumping duties.

FairPlay founder Francois Baird responds to importers, highlighting the difference between dumped imports as ordinary imports.

Pressure mounts as FairPlay urges minister Patel to take action against chicken dumping to defend the local industry and safeguard thousands of jobs.

Fact or fiction? SAPA sets the record straight on claims made by chicken importers.

Research shows that the impact of anti-dumping duties on the retail price of chicken would be “negligible at best”

Discover the crucial difference between fair trade and dumping, and how anti-dumping duties play a role in countering this market threat.

Research shows that anti-dumping duties on chicken imports to South Africa would not lead to significant price increases.

Read FairPlay’s open letter to Minister Ebrahim Patel

Africa has the highest levels of food insecurity in the world, and it will get significantly worse by 2030, according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

Two African countries – Nigeria and Namibia – highlight Africa’s worsening hunger rates. The situation is so bad in Nigeria that President Bola Tinubu has just declared a state of emergency over food.

The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) has analysed the impact of regular national power cuts on agriculture. These were some of their findings.

South Africa should seek urgently to diversify its export markets, whether or not the country retains its benefits under the United States trade legislation the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

The lifting of bird flu bans on two EU countries means they are cleared to resume poultry shipments to South Africa.

The nationwide donation of soup to the needy, collated by Chefs with Compassion, is the largest soup kitchen in South Africa for Mandela Day.

South Africa is pulling out all the stops to ensure that it retains its trade benefits under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) – legislation in the United States that gives designated African countries preferential access to US markets.

The South African government’s delay in blocking dumped chicken imports was creating jobs in Brazil instead of in South Africa, according to FairPlay founder Francois Baird.

South Africa’s high unemployment rate is not only bad, but on closer inspection “it gets worse and more complicated”, according to a report in the Daily Friend.

South Africa’s high unemployment rate and high levels of power cuts add up to a high risk of social unrest such as it experienced two years ago, according to the head of the state insurance company Sasria.

Load shedding continues to impact the financial health of South Africa’s poultry producers.

South African industries threatened by imports have to rely on more than an official investigation to secure protection through tariffs and anti-dumping duties. They also, it seems, have to give something in return.

Bone-in chicken imports from Brazil to South Africa rose from 572 tonnes last August, to 3 530 tonnes in April.

Importers are manipulating statistics in an effort to further delay the imposition of anti-dumping duties on unfair, dumped chicken imports to South Africa from Brazil and four EU countries.

Dumped imports of frozen bone-in chicken portions have damaged the South African poultry industry for decades.

Under Agoa, the US is allowed to dump close to 72 000 tonnes of chicken in South Africa each year.

PwC warns that South Africa’s food supply chain is under immense pressure, largely due to the extended power cuts that have plagued business and agriculture.

New European Union pest control rules could cut South Africa’s orange exports to Europe by 20% this year.

ChickenFacts, the mouthpiece of the meat importers association, has released an investigation into brined chicken in South Africa.

For the past year, as thousands more join the ranks of the unemployed, the South African government has been exporting poultry jobs to Brazil.

With food price inflation declining, and imports climbing, now is the time for government to impose anti-dumping duties.

South Africa’s agricultural master plan will not get going unless all those involved agree to increase production, employment and exports.

Local manufacture is bringing prices down at one of South Africa’s largest clothing retailers.

While South Africa’s poultry farmers lose millions every year because of compulsory bird flu culls, French poultry producers are to get even higher compensation payments from their government.

The United States has made headlines around the world by approving the sale of chicken meat grown in a laboratory.

Import statistics show how poultry imports have climbed since the South African government refused to implement anti-dumping duties on chicken portions from Brazil and four European Union countries last year.

South Africa’s trade minister, Ebrahim Patel, will be concerned with wider trade issues than poultry when he goes to the United States next month.

The US plans to follow the EU in imposing a carbon border tax. How might this affect South African exports?

A national billboard campaign aims to make basic nutritious foods more affordable in South Africa in order to combat hunger and SA’s high rate of child stunting, which is caused by malnutrition.

South Africa’s poor agricultural performance in the first quarter of 2023 nearly pushed the country into a recession, but the prospects for the rest of the year are better.

Children are bearing the brunt of food insecurity and hunger in South Africa.

Top United States congressmen have given a clear indication that South Africa may lose substantial trade benefits under Agoa, when the provisions are renewed in 2025.

Before a US statement that its benefits were in danger, the South African government was hopeful of keeping preferential trade terms with the US when Agoa is renewed in 2025.

If South Africa remains in line to keep its Agoa trade benefits, poultry will once again be an issue in pre-renewal discussions over the next two years.

The problems South African businesses have been facing were spelled out in a television interview by Chris Schutte, CEO of South Africa’s largest poultry producer, Astral Foods.

Top business leaders are working with government to address the problems that are holding back economic growth, foreign investment and job creation.

If anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports are not imposed in August, the local industry will continue to decline, threatening long-term domestic food security.

An eye-watering amount of potential state revenue being lost through illicit trade, threatening stability and economic growth.

As chicken becomes more expensive in South Africa, low-income consumers are switching to pilchards for affordable food.

As the latest – and so far limited – bird flu outbreak in South Africa results in more cullings on egg-producing poultry farms, questions are once again being asked about the possibility of a vaccination against the virus.

El Niño brings hotter and drier weather to South Africa. Its last visit, from 2014 to 2016, hammered South Africa’s agricultural sector. Now its coming back.

The government and state-owned entities are the cause of South Africa’s food price inflation, according to the boss of the country’s largest poultry producer, Astral Foods.

South Africa’s poultry industry was “on its knees” because of government incompetence and negligence in providing basic services, financial newspaper Business Day wrote in an editorial comment.

South Africa’s food price inflation remains stubbornly high, and more than double the consumer price inflation index.

FairPlay founder Francois Baird has taken issue with chicken importing organisation AMIE over the cause of chicken shortages for fast food outlets last December.

A sensible approach to localisation would benefit South African industries and create local jobs, says Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African.

The Vietnam Poultry Association (VIDA) is warning that the poultry industry there is on the brink of collapse, with illegal imports accounting for a large portion of the problems.

South Africans will be forgiven a wry smile if Germany has to implement load shedding next year, as the government is warning.

Load shedding listed as a major cause of the 89% drop in Astral’s operating profit.

Will the SA government defend poultry producers against dumping, in the same way that it has just defended the potato industry?

South African potato farmers have waited a long time for renewed protection against dumped potato imports from three EU countries.

Poultry imports into South Africa are on the rise, and we may be seeing the end of the long downward trend in import volumes since they peaked in 2018.

Former CEO of the chicken importers group AMIE, calls for tariff protection for the South African poultry industry.

As South Africa “stumbles into a hunger pandemic”, FairPlay calls for an emergency national summit on food security.

Small farmers produce one million birds a week, and are an important component of the country’s food system.

Meat importers resort to mistruths and cherry-picking to make the case for more chicken imports.

The costs to South African poultry producers of the latest outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) are already mounting.

The South African government has announced a R2.5 billion fund to help farmers install renewable energy.

FairPlay founder Francois Baird appears on BBC’s Newsday to discuss South Africa’s hunger crisis.

FairPlay founder Francois Baird tells Newzroom Afrika that the cost of food is too high and that South Africa is heading into a food security crisis.

Will DTIC Minister Patel act on the facts, or will anti-dumping duties be determined by politics and a desire not to offend his BRICS allies?

The huge slump in profits at Astral Foods, South Africa’s biggest poultry producer, shows the extent of the challenges faced by chicken farmers.

“misguided and self-serving” chicken importers want anti-dumping duties to remain suspended.

SARS says load-shedding has cost the economy over R560 billion. Experts are increasingly warning of social unrest and a deepening food crisis.

Nearly half of the honey that is imported into the EU is fake, a new report from the European Commission shows.

Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, is moving to avoid being cut off, if and when bird flu breaks out in that country.

Outbreaks on two layer farms in the Paardeberg area, north of Paarl, in the Western Cape have resulted in the culling of 120 000 birds.

A steep rise in the price of electricity is the latest blow to South African farmers who have battled with daily power cuts this year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised the European Union over “rising protectionism” and “unfair” trade practices blocking South African agricultural imports.

Speedier customs processes between African countries are needed to speed up intra-African trade.

Hunger relief NGO, SA Harvest, needs help getting food to hungry households in Durban and Johannesburg.

A quota that allows for more chicken to be dumped in South Africa, from the US, has been increased.

Food inflation in South Africa may be about to peak, providing some relief for consumers

Free trade in Africa faces slow progress due to poor infrastructure, says SA deputy president.

Italy looks likely to be the first country to ban laboratory-grown meat or animal feed.

Eskom blocks a town’s use of privately generated renewable energy, despite the national power crisis.

Rainbow Chicken, South Africa’s second-largest poultry producer, has announced that R620 million will be invested to bring its Hammarsdale production plant back to full capacity.

Ghana has long been an example of what can go wrong when dumped chicken imports flood in and destroy an industry.

Chicken products that should not be accepted as imports are being landed in the country.

Below-normal rainfall and hotter temperatures are expected in South Africa. But how bad will things really get?

Bird flu vaccines are slowly becoming a reality as the global poultry industry tries to find an alternative to mass cullings.

South Africa’s citrus industry believes exports could grow by 10 million cartons, if long-standing delays could be cleared up speedily.

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Irish poultry producers are free to flood South Africa with dumped chicken imports, as a bird flu ban on Irish chicken is lifted and anti-dumping duties remain suspended.

Chicken has regained its rightful place as South Africa’s most affordable meat protein.

The USDA says South Africa’s poultry industry is poised for growth. Yet trading updates by Astral and RCL paint a different picture.

Promoting affordable energy in Africa would increase stability on the continent, FairPlay founder Francois Baird has told an international gathering of parliamentarians.

The non-profit DG Murray Trust has proposed plan to cut the price of selected foods by 30% and improve the diet of South Africa’s most deprived children.

While bird flu is not yet a threat to humans, scientists are watching closely as the virus spreads around the world.

SA’s Competition Commission has come in for a hammering over its findings on food producers and retailers in its latest food price report.

In a report, PwC says the price of household goods have skyrocketed, and consumers face longer queues and stock shortages.

CEO of South Africa’s largest chicken producer calls for the removal of VAT from portions most bought by poor households.

Tariff investigations by South Africa’s trade regulator are taking far too long and up billions in duties.

Chicken farmers in rural Virginia, US, are battling to survive as Tyson Foods shuts a crucial processing plant.

As winter approaches, electricity demand begins to peak. Will load shedding intensify? How will businesses cope?

Jannie Durand, CEO of Remgro, predicts that the private sector would take over from Eskom.

The short-term outlook for South African agriculture is not good. That means food security remains at risk.

South Africa’s inflation rate – including food inflation – is rising, and consumer confidence is dropping rapidly.

Could South Africa’s apparent support for Russia affect its exports to the US, EU and UK?

Are South Africa’s chicken imports going up or down? And how might bird flu impact imports in 2023?

If bird flu outbreaks affect Brazil’s poultry industry, it could halt imports of MDM and bone-in portions to South Africa.

Australia is exporting chicken drumsticks to South Africa at such a low price that even Brazil can’t compete.

The threat from load shedding to South Africa’s food security has been spelled out in chilling detail by Christo van de Rheede, chief executive of Agri SA.

Growing concerns about the economic conditions in South Africa’s agricultural sector resulted in a further drop in the Agribusiness Confidence Index in the first three months of 2023.

The poultry master plan is way behind schedule. It needs urgent government attention. Jobs and food security are at stake.

Poor households are hardest-hit by food price inflation and need government support.

Local food prices are going to remain high because of power problems and the declining rand, says BFAP.

Poultry producers in the UK have called on government to better support the industry and ensure food security.

South Africa plans work with BRICS partners to advance the African economic agenda.

Proudly South African’s annual Buy Local Summit & Expo, will once again showcase the successes and opportunities in South African-made products.

South Africa’s poultry sector is choosing to invest in growth under very difficult circumstances.

SA’s poultry industry is exporting chicken to the UAE, and plans to target Saudi Arabia and the EU next.

Good news as prices of agri commodities are expected to decline over the next two years.

Local poultry producers report dip in earnings, as rising costs and load shedding take their toll.

Dept of Agriculture says it wants to provide financial support to farmers for backup electricity generation.

If South Africa wants to build on the good performance of its agri sector, it needs to find new markets.

Why do food prices in South Africa keep going up, and what can be done to ease the burden on consumers?

As the agricultural sector reels from loadshedding, an effort is underway to quantify its impact on food producers.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised global food prices, disrupted industries, and spurred a shift towards renewable energy.

South Africa’s sugar tax is postponed for two years due to the sugar industry’s difficult operating environment.

Plant-based food sees “massive growth” in South Africa, with some retailers doubling stock due to high demand.

The poultry industry in Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, is on high alert as bird flu spreads through South America.

Statement: Farmers likely to be disappointed by lack of support in this week’s budget speech.

FairPlay has written to five South African government ministers explaining the urgent need to remove VAT from chicken.

Imports of chicken offal to South Africa are rising sharply.

The United States has announced anti-dumping duties against South African lemon juice.

South African manufacturers of steel and other carbon-intensive products may soon face a new difficulty for their exports to the European Union.

South Africa’s annual state of the nation address did not do enough to help the country’s poultry industry, which is in crisis due to rising feed costs, failing infrastructure, and daily power outages.

AgriSA has called for agriculture to be declared an essential service in South Africa, stating that the industry has lost R23 billion in nine months due to rapidly rising input costs and failing infrastructure.

SA’s food inflation rises as loadshedding drives prices higher, says BFAP.

The lack of compensation to poultry farmers for culling healthy birds during bird flu outbreaks in South Africa has led veterinarians to conduct urgent research into vaccines.

ITAC’s failure to renew anti-dumping duties on European Union potato chip imports has caused delays and uncertainty for South Africa’s potato industry.

The South African poultry industry is under severe pressure.

Statement: President Ramaphosa’s SONA address has failed South Africa’s poultry producers, and in particular small-scale farmers.

Cosatu and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have joined the ranks of those calling for the removal of VAT from chicken portions.

While calls mount for the removal of the 15% value added tax (VAT) from chicken, the Treasury says it has no plans to do so.

An IDC report says government should increase support for South Africa’s soyabean and maize producers.

South Africa’s R30-billion citrus industry and its 140 000 jobs are on the line in a dispute with the European Union.

The removal of VAT from chicken portions is now more urgent than ever.

When government ministers assemble in Parliament, they will be met by a call to remove VAT from chicken and poultry feed.

Thousands small farmers are facing a crisis that threatens their livelihoods.

South Africa’s daily power outages are wreaking havoc across the country’s agricultural sector.

The sugar industry has warned that it could lose R723 million this year, affecting some 10 000 workers.

Poultry producers, who supply 66% of the country’s meat, are under threat. This risks national food security.

FairPlay has urged government to pay attention to the plight of small-scale poultry farmers.

The efficiency and competitiveness of South Africa’s poultry industry is increasing. 

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) is opposing the planned 19% increase in electricity tariffs.

If loadshedding continues at high levels, the price of chicken will rise.

Support for proposals to use vaccines to combat avian influenza (bird flu) is growing internationally.

South America is the latest continent to be threatened by the rapid worldwide spread of bird flu.

Statement: Chicken production is vital for South Africa’s food security, yet the industry is headed for a crisis.

South Africa needs to focus on the plight of its small-scale farmers, and find ways to support what is a critical component of the country’s food security and job creation.

Loadshedding is threatening the sustainability of South Africa’s poultry supply chain.

The latest import stats show a surge in chicken imports to South Africa. Is this the new normal?

Demand for poultry is set to soar globally. Will South Africa be able to take advantage of this opportunity?

Social supermarkets in Sweden are helping to combat hunger by selling food cheaply to struggling families.

A nationwide egg shortage in New Zealand has lead to a surge in interest in backyard farming.

We reflect on the fight against predatory trade in South African agriculture – a review of major developments in 2022.

Meet Clive Tigere, an innovative entrepreneur and broiler farmer with a knack for business.

Poor infrastructure results in poor levels of investment and a drop in competitiveness. South Africa has a lot of work to do here, says Donald MacKay.

From backyard broiler farmers struggling to grow, to larger producers dealing with failing infrastructure. While 2022 has been a challenging year, but there’s reason to be optimistic, says SAPA.

FairPlay has written to the government to try get poultry master plan back on track with five priority actions.

South Africa’s food price inflation will remain high for the rest of this year and should peak early in 2023, says BFAP.

The US is suffering its worst avian influenza outbreak ever, which has wiped out over 50 million birds.

Rising input costs and poor infrastructure put pressure on local poultry producers.

Food price inflation remains high for cash-strapped consumers. It’s time government addresses the crisis by making chicken VAT-free.

Another truck transporting chickens recently overturned due to a badly maintained municipal road.

Good news as another large harvest is predicted for South Africa’s grain sector.

A logistics innovator is making it easier to fill up empty freight carriages – could this help lead to a rail revival?

Has the FDA just opened the floodgates for cultured protein and alternative ‘meat’?

Converting to a plant-based diet could increase deforestation and water usage, former WFO President Theo de Jager tells COP27.

South African chicken producers are applying for a renewal of anti-dumping duties on chicken imports from the US.

Consumers in the northern hemisphere prefer white chicken meat. The surplus brown meat is discarded by suppliers to markets like South Africa.

Ex-CEO of importers assocation AMIE, David Wolpert, says poultry master plan is a failure, but the opportunity for exports remain.

Dumping has caused material injury to the local poultry sector, and ITAC’s findings confirm this.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is spreading around the world, transmitted by migrating wild birds.

Increasing exports “a strategic commitment” for South Africa’s poultry industry.

Poultry Farmer, Clive Tigere, has opened a new, state-of-the-art hatchery in Limpopo.

Astral Foods is expected to deliver a mixed bag of results later this month.

While South Africa’s core inflation will continue to rise, food price inflation is likely to peak by the end of this month.

14 000 jobs could be lost if Tongaat Hulett collapses. Its demise would plunge the sugar industry into crisis.

Egg imports to Namibia are reportedly driving local poultry farmers out of business.

The UK is suffering its worst ever bird flu outbreak and has ordered all poultry and captive birds to be housed indoors.

Discover what was said at our digital summit – Poultry Master Plan: Growing our agri-future.

A new biosecurity hub has been launched to help bolster local biosecurity and meet export requirements for international trade.

South Africa’s transport infrastructure is inefficient, inadequate, and holding back growth.

Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza says importing products that could be made locally is a lost opportunity.

Do More launches a massive feeding programme for children in disadvantaged communities to mark World Food Day on 16 October.

Researchers say government should rethink its funding policies for small farmers.

Join FairPlay and Farmer’s Weekly on 27 October for a digital summit on the Poultry Master Plan.

The South African Reserve Bank may have dashed the poultry industry’s hopes for the early implementation of anti-dumping duties.

The cost of food is rising faster in South Africa than it is in other countries and regions.

Smallholder and subsistence farmers are key to achieving national food security.

The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) says South Africa should provide subsidies to fuel growth and employment in agriculture.

New bird flu vaccines are being trialled by Wageningen University, with results expected in December.

A South African woman has won a place in the Guinness book of records for eating the most chicken feet in one minute.

South Africa’s official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has published a long list of food items it believes should be exempted from VAT.

Small-scale poultry farmer Ade Camngca has been waging a Twitter campaign for the removal of VAT from poultry feed.

Speaking in parliament, Minister Patel reaffirmed recent tariff decisions and said the government would not slash tariffs across the board.

While South Africa’s agricultural sector has done well for the past few years, fruit farmers will face much lower profits because of rising costs over the next decade.

Contract growers – independent farmers who supply chickens to large poultry operations – are a key part of South Africa’s poultry industry.

While South African exports are expanding in volume and value, they are concentrated in too few markets, argues economist Wandile Sihlobo.

The European Union does a magnificent job of protecting its own industries, markets and workers from competition it views as unfair.

The decision to suspend anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports is affecting industries across southern Africa.

A price rise for imported rice may soon hit consumers’ pockets.

Agri SA says continued power outages could threaten food security because of food shortages and high prices.

As millions of people go hungry, more than 30% of the world’s food production is wasted.

The Ukraine war has highlighted the need for Africa to produce more of its own food, as 340 million people in Africa face food insecurity.

The SA Poultry Association has drawn a careful distinction between legal, illegal and dumped chicken imports.

When will foreign poultry producers take advantage of the suspension of South African anti-dumping duties?

French poultry producers want to stop duty-free poultry imports from Ukraine which are meant to help the war-torn country’s battered economy.

British prime minister, Liz Truss, plans to scrap the country’s sugar tax.

Bird flu in Europe keeps getting worse, and with outbreaks now year-round instead of seasonal, the disease is becoming endemic.

The latest victims of bird flu in South Africa have been four African penguins in a colony at Boulders in Cape Town.

Support for removing the 15% value added tax (VAT) from chicken has come from South Africa’s official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.

Encouraging news for South Africa’s cash-strapped consumers is that food price inflation is close to its peak, and may already have peaked.

Rainbow Chickens, South Africa’s second largest poultry producer, is on the way to being separated from its parent company, RCL Foods.

Poultry producers in the SA Customs Union (SACU) have won an arbitration case which rejected an EU bid to overturn safeguard duties on imported chicken.

Botswana and Namibia have banned vegetable imports from South Africa.

Chicken may be a surprise item for discussion when President Cyril Ramaphosa meets President Joe Biden in Washington next week.

The AGOA treaty gives South Arica duty-free access to US markets for nearly 7000 items. But this deal has comes with strings attached.

Local poultry producers will try to persuade the government that chicken importers, not consumers, benefit from the suspension of anti-dumping duties.

The SA Poultry Association says anti-dumping duties do not push up the retail price of chicken and that dumped imports are sold in shops at market prices.

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union FAWU says 2 500 members were among the 9 000 workers who had lost their jobs between 2011 and 2017.

A South African chicken producer says failure to implement anti-dumping duties means it will have to cut overheads, labour and employment costs.

Rainbow Chicken, South Africa’s second-largest poultry producer, has added its voice to the calls for the immediate imposition of anti-dumping […]

Remgro, the majority shareholder in Rainbow’s parent company RCL Foods, has called on Minister Patel to implement anti-dumping duties.

The 12-month suspension of anti-dumping duties would distort the SA poultry industry and impact other agricultural industries such as maize.

South Africa’s wool industry has had a ruinous export ban lifted, but citrus producers are still fighting an EU rule that could spell disaster.

The European Commission says this season’s outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is the largest that Europe has experienced.

Are South African retailers using food price inflation to add in a bit extra and increase their profits?

Has South Africa done a deal with Brazil to suspend anti-dumping duties on dumped Brazilian chicken? And did South Africa assure Brazil that duties will never be imposed?

Ghana’s poultry industry was nearly destroyed by dumped imports. Now it is facing difficulties again, despite a very expensive plan to revive local production and create jobs.

Chicken is expected to play an even more important role in feeding cash-strapped South Africans over the next decade, increasing market share because it is more affordable than pork or beef.

While global food prices are dropping, South Africa’s food price inflation rate was 8.6% in June, and may not yet have peaked.

The Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGSA) obtained a temporary interdict to halt the government’s planned seizure of meat-free goods on retail shelves.

The world-wide move to stop chickens, and particularly egg layers, from being housed in cages will cost South Africa close to R5bn.

Tariffs of up to 265% were approved on Brazil’s dumped chicken imports. This shows the extent of the unfair competition and undercutting that South African poultry farmers face.

The suspension of anti-dumping duties puts 1000 jobs at risk in the Western Cape, according to the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which represents poultry sector workers.

Bird flu outbreaks are tapering off in the European summer, which could mean a resumption of chicken dumping to South Africa from EU countries.

Minister Patel has got his decisions on anti-dumping duties and VAT-free chicken the wrong way round.

Urgent talks have resulted in most of citrus shipments from South Africa being cleared to the EU, but officials are worried about future consignments.

South Africa’s wool industry faces an existential threat – the refusal by China, which takes most of South Africa’s wool clip, to accept further shipments.

Why do applications for tariff changes or anti-dumping duties take so long?

By Francois Baird: Anti-dumping duties are not protectionist and consumers don’t benefit from dumped imports. Allowing dumping to continue is wrong.

There’s been no shortage of reaction in the past week to the decision by the South African government to postpone anti-dumping duties on poultry imports.

On behalf of local poultry producers, the SA Poultry Association has taken an uncompromising stand against the decision to delay the imposition of anti-dumping duties.

The suspension of anti-dumping duties will have no effect on chicken prices, and a flood of dumped imports will damage the credibility of both Minister Patel and the master plan.

Despite the delay in implementing new anti-dumping duties, it’s now a proven fact that Brazil, Denmark, Ireland, Poland and Spain have been dumping chicken in South Africa.

Food price inflation is a global concern, and South African consumers may not see food prices dropping for some time.

Dumped imports of vehicle tyres are causing difficulty for local manufacture and job creation.

What did Senegal and Ivory Coast do to combat dumping and save their poultry industries? And what has the outcome been?

A major new research project has been launched in Britain to help scientists understand more about bird flu and how to combat it.

Chefs with Compassion succeeded for the third successive year in rallying hotels, restaurants, companies and cooks to produce a record 94 359 litres of soup.

Media statement: Minister Patel is inviting countries to dump chicken in South Africa. He should urgently reconsider his suspension of import duties.

The government’s failure to renew or replace temporary anti-dumping duties risks the substantial master plan progress that the poultry industry has made.

The South African egg industry has been put under pressure by a series of events beyond its control.

South Africa’s potato farmers have at last got some protection against dumped imports, but unfortunately it’s a year too late.

A plea has been made for the revival of a nutritious grain indigenous to Africa but in declining production: sorghum.

One of Europe’s leading bicycle manufacturers is prospering because of EU protection against dumped imports.

There’s a specialised market in South Africa for what are known as hardbody chickens – older birds than those sold in supermarkets, but tough and tasty.

South Africa’s grain industry says it has seen benefits from the poultry master plan, which has created growth and jobs across the poultry value chain

For the South African poultry industry, it’s always a mixture of good news and bad news.

This month retailer Woolworths set off a small Twitter storm by increasing the price of its whole rotisserie chicken.

Official import statistics for May show a rise in chicken imports across a range of products.

Australia continues to send a steady supply of chicken drumsticks to South Africa this year at extraordinary prices which undercut the local market.

South Africa’s poultry producers have once again been prominent donors of chicken meat for the annual challenge to produce 67 000 litres of soup on Mandela Day.

Small chicken farmers on Twitter are making a case for VAT-free poultry feed. Will the government listen?

Loashedding is having a devastating impact on the country’s agricultural sector.

The sudden implementation of a new EU rule means that South African citrus worth hundreds of millions of rand could be destroyed when it reaches ports in Europe.

Good news and bad news in store for South Africa’s agricultural sector, says Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo.

FairPlay’s focus on preventing job losses in poor rural communities has been featured ‘Borgen Magazine’ – a US publication working to combat global poverty.

Early childhood development centres in South Africa will receive more than half a million rand’s worth of nutritious meals, thanks to Rama and Spar.

The debate on the labelling of food containing meat alternatives has taken off in South Africa.

Chicken importers say the poultry master plan is “doomed to fail”, but facts on the ground show that it is starting to work.

Poultry is the second largest component of South Africa’s agricultural sector, and its largest job creator.

After going through some hard times, the Hammarsdale area outside Durban in KwaZulu-Natal is undergoing a bit of a revival.

Country Bird Holdings makes another substantial upgrade to a facility in Johannesburg, dubbing it the “poultry palace”.

Cement producers have long complained about unfair competition from imports, and have applied to the government for tariff protection.

The impact of poverty on child malnutrition and stunting, and children’s rights to food are in the spotlight this week.

Every week brings another indication of the rate at which food prices are rising, and the impact this is having on poor people in particular.

Interim anti-dumping duties on dumped chicken imports have lapsed. What now for the industry?

The SA Poultry Association hits back at importers association AMIE after it published more fake facts. Will importers ever cooperate?

South Africa’s third-largest chicken producer, Country Bird Holdings, has just announced a 35% expansion of capacity at its plant in Hartebeesfontein, North West province.

Localisation is a key part of South Africa’s post-Covid economic reconstruction plan, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Women produce 70% of the food on the African continent, but they face many barriers to succeeding in the business arena.

The South African government is cracking down on the way producers of plant-based meat alternatives market their products.

Global chicken consumption has doubled since 1999 and in less than a decade humans will consume more chicken than any other protein.

Africa’s food security is threatened by its huge dependence on food imports, which supply 85% of its needs and costs the continent more than $35 billion each year.

The African Development Bank is boosting its focus on smallholder farmers with a $1.5 billion facility.

The Motsepe Foundation and RCL Foods make a big investment into small farmers.

SARS should take note as offal imports rise dramatically

A study in Thailand suggests that medicinal cannabis mixed into chicken feed can help farmers cut down on antibiotic use.

BFAP urges caution about the accuracy of South Africa’s record high jobless numbers, particularly in the agricultural sector.

While importers gripe about the lack of exports, South African poultry producers are quietly getting on with the job.

As poultry producers in Southern Africa await the final determination on anti-dumping duties against Brazil and four European Union countries, Namibia has once again highlighted the damage being done by dumped poultry imports.

More proof of mathematical ineptitude comes in the latest attempt by ChickenFacts to justify their incorrect statement that chicken prices have risen for 10% a year for 10 years.

For another month, Australian chicken continues to be imported into South Africa at astonishingly low prices. Is this more dumping?

Near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, a successful poultry project founded by four young people in 2018 has just won an award from the provincial government.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a major impact on global food supplies and prices. What lessons can South Africa learn as some countries begin to face food shortages?

The South African poultry industry believes that action against illegal chicken imports is yielding results.

South African consumers will soon see a safety stamp on chicken products, affirming that the producer or facility where it was packed has been inspected by the Food Safety Agency.

Despite proven wrong, even by their own numbers, chicken importers are yet to retract their false and inaccurate statements on chicken price increases.

Labour unions Cosatu and Saftu back FairPlay’s call for government to drop VAT on the chicken portions most consumed by low-income households.

The largest obstacle to South Africa becoming a significant poultry exporter is the lack of state veterinary laboratories and infrastructure – which is likely to cost at least R330 million.

The profits of chicken importers are coming under scrutiny, as the value of imports average R6 billion a year for the past six years.

The damage done by dumped and predatory chicken imports was highlighted yet again during FairPlay’s media briefing this week.

The long-running dispute between South African poultry producers and the government over the refusal to pay compensation for chickens culled during bird flu outbreaks will be decided in court.

FairPlay has challenged chicken importers to reveal their “substantial” profits and to say how much they have invested in expanding their industry and creating local jobs in South Africa.

The news about world food availability and prices gets worse and worse. Fears are being raised about shortages and mass hunger, particularly in food importing countries.

Chicken importers have supported our call for VAT-free chicken, but in addition wanted the removal of import tariffs from imported chicken. DTIC Minister Ebrahim Patel says that’s not going to happen.

Astral Foods increases profits by expanding its business and selling more chickens while containing costs, investing in the industry and creating jobs.

Astral CEO Chris Schutte says local producers operate on small profit margins, while importers made fat profits.

FairPlay notes with great sadness the passing of Mike Schussler, one of South Africa’s top economists.

FairPlay calls for SARS investigation into suspicious imports

Drumstick imports from Australia continue to undercut local market for fourth month

Astral Foods, South Africa’s largest chicken producer, reported strong demand for poultry and higher sales volumes, while lamenting high levels of chicken imports.

Global food prices ease slightly in April

South African civil society steps up to feed flood victims

South Africa’s agricultural and agro-processing master plan is signed

Close to 200 children under the age of five have died in South Africa this year due to malnutrition.

We investigate the erroneous claims that Chicken importers make to bolster their proposal for the removal of all tariffs on imported chicken.

Will chicken importers pull out of the poultry master plan? The executive committee of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) says it plans to “re-evaluate” its participation.

Two South African companies have made headlines recently with successful developments in the worldwide quest for cultivated meat.

KZN flood damage will lead to higher inflation and food prices in South Africa.

While South Africa’s unemployment rate has worsened steadily, the country’s agricultural sector is one of the few that has been creating jobs.

Economist says more govt support for local agriculture is key to improving food security in South Africa.

Despite heavy rains, SA expects good maize and soya harvests.

Prospects for cotton are looking up, as the number of cotton farmers in South Africa continue to increase.

Chicken feet and necks are a favourite South African street food. Now these “walkie-talkies” are making their way to supermarket shelves.

Import tariffs on dumped chicken has re-entered the national debate following a number of opportunistic and spurious claims made by meat importers. Read more as we cover the debate.

Amid all the arguments for and against import tariffs, there has been silence on a potentially decisive development – the complete restructuring of the chicken import tariff system.

South Africa’s poultry industry, which produces most of the chicken in the country, keeps prices low. The demise of this industry would not be in the interests of consumers.

Australian chicken portions are arriving in South Africa at prices even below those of countries found to be dumping chicken here.

The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy says chicken imports to South Africa are projected to increase over the coming decade.

The devastating floods which have killed hundreds in KwaZulu-Natal, are going to make food supply much more difficult.

The KZN floods are likely to result in a further setback to the South African economy as a whole.

Every week brings new warnings about global food price increases, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes up fuel, fertilizer and feed prices. The result is a surge in food price inflation.

South Africa’s agricultural sector was a star performer in 2020 and 2021, but what lies ahead for 2022? Expert opinions seem to disagree.

While top economists predict further food price increases – because of the war in Ukraine – chicken importers in South Africa like to pretend that the main cause is anti-dumping duties.

The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) CEO Paul Matthew has made headlines for his “support” for the removal of VAT from chicken.

More than a million live chickens are traded every quarter in South Africa’s rural areas, and the trade is an important part of the country’s informal economy.

Brazilian researchers have developed an ecological fertiliser based on egg shells.

Chicken importers like to pretend that the main reason for the increase in local chicken prices is import tariffs and anti-dumping duties. The fact is that this is not true.

Statement: There’s an easy answer to Brazilian claims that they do not dump chicken in South Africa – show the evidence to South Africa’s trade regulator.

FairPlay proposes a five-point plan to help improve food security in South Africa as winter approaches.

The South African poultry industry is hoping the government will approve a safety stamp on retail chicken packaging.

Bird flu is now a rapidly spreading global problem. It is ravaging poultry flocks across the world. The United States is facing its worst outbreak since 2015.

FairPlay’s call for the removal of value added tax (VAT) from some chicken portions been published across the country.

Chicken importers and their friends continue to attack the anti-dumping duties designed to reduce their profits.

The South African government has moved quickly to reassure the country that it has sufficient food supplies and that the Ukraine war will not result in food shortages.

The conflict in Ukraine threatens to cause “a global food crisis”. Experts believe the world’s food supply to be at risk.

Ukraine was the world’s sixth-largest poultry exporter. Now, with the conflict ravaging its poultry industry, demand has increased for supplies from Brazil. The result is higher prices for Brazilian chicken.

A third agricultural master plan, after those for the poultry and sugar industries, intends to drive long-term inclusive growth in the sector.

Statement: More millions out of work means more poverty, more hunger and more malnutrition. The government must act urgently to ensure food security for all as winter approaches.

FairPlay is renewing its call for Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Africa to be removed from most chicken portions to help counter the rise in food inflation following the conflict in Ukraine.

The SA Revenue Service (SARS) is stepping up its actions against illegal trade. While much of this has involved illegal cigarettes and narcotics, the poultry industry has welcomed action against illegal trade in chickens, and believes more is to come.

Another surge of chicken drumsticks from Australia has landed in South Africa at a lower price than offal. How do they do it?

South African chicken importers became so disturbed by FairPlay’s successful campaigns against chicken dumping that they started a sub-brand which – in our opinion – looks like a propaganda site.

David Wolpert, a former CEO of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE), has objected to being grouped with his former colleagues.

Chicken importers are picking on South Africa’s trade regulator, the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) for its findings on dumped chicken imports.

Projections of steadily rising poultry exports from the world’s largest producers signal continuing pressure on South Africa and other African markets from Brazil, the United States and the European Union over the next decade.

South Africa’s black poultry farmers are increasingly benefitting from industry investment.

In addition to raising fuel and wheat prices, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is going to have an immediate impact on South African agriculture.

The EU is considering requiring a 16-day cold treatment for imported oranges, which would raise costs for SA producers.

The continuing clamp down on illegal chicken imports is yielding positive benefits for the South African poultry industry.

The impact on global food prices of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is going to be far more severe as sanctions on Russia get increasingly tighter.

International turmoil seems likely to benefit South African farmers, and particularly its grain industry, as global demand for wheat and maize increases and prices rise because of supply shortages.

South Africa is fast becoming a key emerging market for medicinal cannabis cultivation.

South Africa’s sugar industry has been hit by high levels of dumped imports, and now, a higher sugar tax.

The local poultry industry is confident of its ability to replace dumped chicken imports with local chicken and local jobs.

South Africa’s poultry industry is investing in black poultry farmers.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could make South African food more expensive.

Yet another African country is complaining that dumped chicken imports are ruining their local poultry industry.

The South African citrus industry has highlighted the benefits of public-private partnerships to expand the country’s agriculture export markets.

Has Australia been dumping chicken drumsticks in South Africa? The latest import statistics paint a worrying picture.

A global campaign to double egg consumption and encourage people to eat one egg a day, would boost agri investment, job creation and public nutrition.

The United States poultry industry and veterinarians are on high alert for outbreaks of avian influenza, or bird flu, now reported in three states – Indiana, Kentucky and Virginia.

The South African government has come in for a lot of criticism regarding its ambitious localisation policy, but clearly it is not deterred.

Things are at last looking up for exports of cooked chicken from South Africa to the European Union.

While stats show that there has been a steady decline in chicken imports to South Africa, dumping continued over the same period.

Huge amounts of money are exported every month to pay for chicken imports, which could have sustained industries and jobs in South Africa.

Despite higher food prices, stats show that local poultry farmers earn less per chicken today than they did five years ago.

The dairy and the tyre industries in South Africa have fallen victim to unfair and possibly dumped imports.

European nations are beginning to push for vaccinations against avian influenza (AI).

Two American-based researchers are looking to turn chicken feathers – a waste product of the poultry industry – into fibres for natural fabrics.

South Africa’s poultry industry reacts with relief to the imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties on chicken from Brazil and four European Union countries.

ITAC, the South African trade regulator, has been impressive and meticulous in its detailed investigation into chicken dumping.

While people all over the world are eating more chicken, we may be approaching a peak in global meat consumption.

Lemon exports to China look promising for SA’s citrus industry, however new duties from the US could hamper growth.

Four countries in Southern Africa at a higher risk of food insecurity this year.

Arrests for tax evasion and other offences relating to imported chicken could be a breakthrough in the master plan campaign to prevent illegal trade.

The poultry industry master plan is creating new jobs, yet importers continue to attack the plan.

Importers lament anti-dumping duties, in what is likely to be another year of attacks on curbs on chicken imports.

The sugar industry has announced a partnership with the Shoprite group which will see local sugar prioritised in nearly 1 200 stores across South Africa.

The recovery of the clothing and textile sector is underway, and showing impressive results.

The coming year looks likely to be a good one for action against dumped, illegal and predatory chicken imports into South Africa.

The need for action against dumped and predatory chicken imports is not lessened by the fact that imports have been decreasing for the past three years.

Podcast: Trade dumping should become punishable by law in South Africa and internationally.

After a year of sustained food price inflation, price increases may slow down slightly in 2022.

South African poultry producers, and small-scale farmers in particular, are likely to have a tough time in 2022.

Saudi Arabia intends to reducing poultry imports and then cutting them out entirely. What does this mean for South African cooked poultry exports?

To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the FairPlay movement has just published its Special Report for 2021-2022.

As the festive season approaches, it’s time to think of local chicken and local jobs.

ProudlySA’s Living Lekker Locally campaign is here to remind South Africans that almost everything they need can be sourced from local manufacturers.

South Africa’s largest poultry producer, Astral Foods, has once again cited continued high chicken imports as a factor affecting its financial results.

Brazil is accusing the EU of “unjustified barriers” to international trade because of the EU’s application of stricter anti-salmonella measures on seasoned Brazilian chicken and turkey.

There’s a big threat to Brazilian meat exports in the offing, and South African beef producers need to keep an eye on the outcome.

Parliament’s committee on food safety has not met since 2019. It must be re-established so that it can complete its work.

Statistics show an increase in the numbers of black poultry farmers across South Africa.

Jobs are at stake as residents and businesses are affected by the poor delivery of municipal services across the country.

Food prices are rising world-wide, and South Africa cannot escape the impact.

Trade with the European Union is likely to get tougher, both for imports and exports.

South Africa is aiming to produce a cannabis master plan, focussed on hemp, which has been declared an agricultural crop.

Technology will play an increasingly important role in ensuring food safety, and should be a focus of a national food safety agency.

The rapidly rising costs of fertiliser, fuel and other inputs dampen South Africa’s recent agricultural boom.

The government continues to refuse compensation to poultry farmers for the forced culling of healthy chickens due to bird flu outbreaks.

Chicken importers like Unati Spears call the import tariff review is a “ploy”, yet the poultry masterplan, which she and other importers signed, details the reasons for the review.

The chicken imports lobby is trashing the local poultry industry’s anti-dumping application and SA’s trade regulator, ahead of any possible outcomes.

Over the past five years, South Africa has spent R30 billion on chicken imports – creating jobs in Brazil and the EU.

Imported chicken replaces 1.3 million tonnes of animal feed, which could have been made in South Africa. This translates to 2 000 jobs in 12 feed factories.

With Covid-19 dominating our lives for the past two years, it’s easy to forget that food safety remains a significant public health issue – for farmers, distributors, retailers, policymakers and consumers. Join our webinar.

New labelling laws for chicken imports – hailed as a “breakthrough” for consumers – have come into affect, but will require careful policing to ensure compliance.

Chicken imports arrive in large frozen bulk packs, which are thawed, repacked and refrozen or sometimes just sold as fresh meat. This can compromise food safety.

Increased health inspections and certifications are needed for chicken imports, as well as for developing export markets. The problem? Not enough vets.

As bird flu continues to spread across Europe, chicken producing countries in the bloc are declaring themselves free of the disease.

Brazil remains the dominant supplier of poultry imports to South Africa, with 64.3% market share, as bird flu bans keep the EU out, for now.

It is time that importers issue their unequivocal backing for the poultry master plan and all its objectives.

The benefits of localisation are shown by stellar results of the TFG group, owners of Foschini, as it boosts local production, local jobs and its own profitability.

The government has decreed that only local cement can be used in public sector construction projects. This is likely to revitalise the local cement industry, hit by years of cheap imports.

Steel Tube Export Association of SA says localisation must benefit small companies.

Prof Johan Willemse shows how tariffs on predatory chicken imports benefit other sectors in the economy. He also says there is no evidence that tariffs increase costs for consumers.

The need for more thorough customs inspections of chicken imports is demonstrated by the fact that every month SARS official statistics throw up puzzles and anomalies. This time it’s chicken feet.

Two of South Africa’s poultry producers – Astral Foods and RCL Foods – are among the top 50 producers in the world.

Chicken importers argue that the local poultry industry is over-concentrated, now a formal rebuttal has come from the authoritative Bureau for Agricultural Policy proving the opposite.

The statistics in the latest results announcement by Astral Foods shows that imports have a larger market share than any local producer.

Media release: The South African public should not pay too much attention to the wailing of chicken importers that government’s localisation policy will push up retail chicken prices.

South Africa’s poultry farmers can more than meet demand for local chicken – if predatory and dumped chicken imports are stopped.

Illegal and predatory chicken imports hamper local industry expansion and job creation.

An analysis of the South African poultry market has shown once again that low import prices of dumped and predatory chicken portions don’t translate to low retail prices for consumers.

Absa Agribusiness specialists say curbing illegal imports and stopping dumping are essential for inclusive growth.

Independent research shows that chicken imports to South Africa will continue to grow over the next decade.

South African trade authorities will have to make sense of conflicting reports on bird flu outbreaks in countries across Europe.

Import statistics do not show any major impact from the riots or the cyber-attack at Transnet’s ports, on poultry imports to South Africa.

Prospects are looking brighter for the global chicken industry.

African countries are falling behind on their pledge to increase investment in agriculture and help feed expanding populations.

It’s not only poultry producers that government has failed to compensate for culls ordered by state veterinarians. Red meat and pork producers have had the same problem.

The Competition Commission says it has linked recent food price increases to South Africa’s retail sector.

The Competition Commission says more local food markets, supplied directly by farmers, will benefit consumers, small-scale farmers and agriculture.

One of South Africa’s largest chicken producers, RCL Foods, has announced that it intends to become a serious contender in the artificial meat market.

RCL’s chicken division is still struggling. Will the Poultry Sector Master Plan help turn the sector around?

Will South African poultry farmers be compensated for more than 2 million healthy birds they have been ordered to cull to prevent the spread of avian influenza?

The South African poultry industry is intensifying its focus on stamping out unfair trade in poultry. This includes both dumping – importing poultry at unfairly low prices – and illegal trading methods to avoid or reduce payment of import duties.

The SA Poultry Association (SAPA) helped to train some 120 SARS inspectors last month, showing them how to identify chicken consignments where import tariffs may be evaded by misdeclaration or under-declaration.

Existing tariff structures on poultry imports are being reviewed and could lead to curbs on predatory and illegal trade.

Weather patterns are likely to produce another bumper maize harvest for South Africa next year.

A UNICEF report says the impacts of climate change will put almost every child in the world at risk, and that approximately 1 billion children are at “extremely high risk” of impacts such as high temperatures, flooding and drought.

Experts say that local markets, economic growth and job creation are paths to reducing the high levels of hunger in South Africa.

South Africa has been dealt a double blow as record unemployment figures accompany an increase in the cost of food.

South African trade regulator, the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), has recommended the renewal of anti-dumping duties on chicken imports from Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza appoints a biosecurity task team, possibly paving the way for the health certificates needed unlock uncooked poultry exports.

While poultry exports languish, the rest of South Africa’s agricultural sector is doing pretty well.

The government’s decision not to compensate poultry farmers for most of the chickens culled during bird flu outbreaks is short-sighted and will hamper control in future outbreaks.

Social stability requires food security. Watch a recording of our recent webinar on food security as experts discuss ways to make food more affordable, accessible and available to all.

The South African government’s trade lawyers should be hard at work preparing to defend the R200bn localisation policy and industry master plans against legal challenges from trading partners in the EU and elsewhere.

The reported rise in European Union (EU) poultry exports, despite widespread bird flu outbreaks, has drawn a response from one of the countries involved.

One part of South Africa’s poultry master plan that is not having great success is the export drive.

Nearly half of the food produced in South Africa is wasted. This level of waste – in a country where 9 million people go hungry – should be a matter of national concern.

August is Women’s Month in South Africa, and to mark the occasion the Minister of Agriculture, Ms Thoko Didiza, has said she wants to see more women in agriculture.

While South Africa has acted swiftly to control bird flu outbreaks, the country is out of line with international best practice on the issue of compensation to farmers for birds culled.

In the first half of 2021, Brazil accounted for nearly 70% of South Africa’s poultry imports, while only 8.3% came from the European Union.

Bird flu outbreaks in Europe seem to have made little difference to overall EU poultry exports.