Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen described poultry as one of South Africa’s most important agricultural sectors. He also set out the benefits he expected from the renewed phase of the poultry master plan, first implemented in 2019.
“The poultry industry is not only a key protein source for our people. It is an economic anchor,” he told AVI Africa delegates.
“Its gross income stands at an astonishing R79,95 billion. It supports approximately 134,000 jobs. It contributes 17,8% to our agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), and it is projected to grow by 5,8% annually.
“These are not just numbers. These are livelihoods. These are families. These are opportunities,” Steenhuisen said.
He assured delegates that the government was committed to fully implementing the poultry sector master plan.
“This includes expanding black-owned broiler and egg production, protecting against illegal and unfair imports, investing in veterinary surveillance and disease response, supporting abattoir upgrades and cold chain improvements, and ensuring that poultry farmers, big and small, can compete fairly,” he stated.
