Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has asked South Africans for tips on measures to be included in his budget on 25 February 2026.
FairPlay’s submission focused exclusively on VAT-free chicken – the removal of 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) from the chicken portions most consumed by poor people.
We reminded the minister that this is the ninth successive year that FairPlay has campaigned for VAT-free chicken. We also reminded him that this move is far more urgent than it was in 2018, because poverty, hunger and malnutrition are rising and millions more are unemployed.
“South Africa’s horrific child stunting rate – the HSRC estimates 28.8% of children under five – is a direct result of malnutrition. More than a quarter of our children will not develop to their full physical and mental potential. This is a shameful statistic, which VAT-free chicken can help to reduce,” Baird wrote.
“VAT should be removed from the chicken portions most consumed by low-income households. This includes chicken offal, which was nearly zero-rated last year, and frozen chicken portions such as leg quarters, drumsticks and thighs.
“Chicken is South Africa’s most popular and most affordable meat protein. It is a food powerhouse whose dietary benefits were set out by the SA Poultry Association (SAPA) in a submission to the National Treasury at the end of last year. FairPlay fully supports that application.
“VAT-free chicken is a pro-poor proposal. For the past eight years, poor households have had to pay 15% on every portion of chicken they purchased. The time to change that is now,” Baird concluded.
