South Africa’s poultry production rose by nearly 7% in September and October last year, making up for tonnages lost because a bird flu ban blocked all poultry imports from Brazil.
Brazil is South Africa’s major source of chicken imports. Volumes plunged from May to October last year because of the temporary bird flu ban.
However, local producers showed yet again that they can make up for any import shortfall. Latest production figures, for October 2025, reveal that in September and October production rose to a record of more than 23 million chickens per week.
The October figure of 23.3 million chickens slaughtered weekly is a 6.8% increase on the 21.8 million birds per week achieved in October 2024.
Not only did this production spurt prevent any shortages of chicken on retail shelves, it also gave the lie to frequent accusations from chicken importers that the local industry cannot supply the local market. It can, when it is not undercut by unfairly priced and dumped imports.
“We are very proud of this achievement,” said Izaak Breitenbach of the SA Poultry Association (SAPA).
“Our chicken producers have shown yet again that they can feed the nation and avoid shortages. We did it during the Covid pandemic, we did it despite the devastating bird flu outbreaks of 2023 and we did it last year when Brazil imports were reduced because of a bird flu ban.
“Local production is efficient and competitive, and it accounts for more than 80% of South Africa’s chicken consumption. We hope to be able to increase that share of the local market during the implementation of the revised poultry master plan,” Breitenbach said.
