ChickenFacts

South Africa’s poultry industry stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by a shifting balance between local production, international trade, and market competition. While Brazilian poultry has long dominated imports, Argentina has emerged as a growing contender, adding complexity to the trade landscape. This article examines the evolving role of these two emerging markets in South Africa’s poultry trade, unpacking the tensions between import reliance and local industry sustainability. As government policies attempt to safeguard domestic production, questions remain about market accessibility, pricing dynamics, and the broader implications for consumers and producers alike. Understanding these forces will be crucial as the industry seeks a balanced approach to growth and competition in the years ahead.

Dr Martin Cameron, an esteemed trade expert, outlines critical strategies and highlights the urgent policy actions needed to position South Africa as a formidable global competitor.

In the News: Trump Pauses 30% tariff on SA for 90 days https://lnkd.in/df9NN2zv

With nearly 70% of the nation’s GDP reliant on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, it’s clear that proactive measures are essential to securing South Africa a competitive edge on the world stage. Dr Martin Cameron, an esteemed trade expert, outlines critical strategies and highlights the urgent policy actions needed to position South Africa as a formidable global competitor.

The White House asserts that “For decades, South Africa has imposed animal health restrictions that are not scientifically justified on US pork products, permitting a very limited list of US pork exports to enter South Africa. South Africa also heavily restricts US poultry exports through high tariffs, anti-dumping duties, and unjustified animal health restrictions..." https://lnkd.in/dHCKT76K

In the news: "Even though the producers’ prices have gone down, retailers are keeping prices high. “This suggests that retailers have started trying to claw back their margins on eggs, which seems premature given that producer prices have not recovered fully...” https://lnkd.in/d2wkKtiz

Tax expert Charles de Wet explains the concerning discrepancies in the interpretation of meat offal products proposed in the draft bill for zero-rated food items. https://lnkd.in/dyrsXSGf

It's no secret that the local poultry industry has made significant progress in curbing imports over recent years, driven by the introduction of substantially increased duties. ChickenFacts examines the resulting market imbalance and asks: can South Africa truly do without poultry imports?

ChickenFacts delves into the inconsistencies surrounding the classification of meat offal products in the proposed draft bill introducing newly zero-rated food items. Tax expert Charles de Wet provides valuable insights into the potential repercussions for both businesses and consumers.

The Brazilian customs disruptions have caused significant delays in the clearance of meat and poultry at South African borders, with a notable impact on the cost and availability of mechanically de-boned meat (MDM).