A flood of cheap chicken imports from the United States could harm the broader South African economy.
This warning comes from independent journalist and political commentator Ido Lekota. Writing in the Weekly SA Mirror, he criticised the South African government’s willingness to sacrifice the country’s poultry industry in order to secure a more favourable tariff deal with the US.
“By conceding on poultry imports South Africa risks deepening its dependence on the US market while weakening a domestically strategic industry. The risk is cheaper imports could flood the market; harming local producers unable to compete on price or scale, ultimately affecting South Africa’s broader economic diversification and industrialization ambitions.
“While the agreement may unlock trade benefits in other sectors and preserve AGOA status – providing access to US markets for other goods – many industry stakeholders warn that sacrificing standards in farming sectors is a short-term trade-off with potentially severe long-term consequences for food sovereignty and economic stability.”
Lekota described as “a concerning precedent” the decision to allow the US to decide for itself when to apply or lift bird flu bans on its chicken exports to South Africa. He called on the government to “recalibrate its approach”.
“South Africa should work to regain full control over health and safety standards for poultry imports by renegotiating terms that restore authority of its Department of Agriculture and relevant regulatory agencies. This is important to protect biosecurity and public health.
“It is also critical for the country to involve the domestic poultry industry, consumer groups, and scientific experts actively in ongoing trade negotiations. Such transparent processes will build trust and help shape agreements that balance trade benefits with local industry sustainability.”
Lekota concluded that South Africa should seek “more comprehensive trade and investment partnerships with the US that integrate benefits across multiple sectors, ensuring concessions in one area like poultry imports are offset with gains and protections in others.”
