South African Poultry Industry Faces Export Setback Amid Middle‑East Tensions
The recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East has disrupted South Africa’s push to grow its processed poultry exports, particularly to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of the Broiler Organization at the South African Poultry Association, planned trade meetings for May were cancelled and existing shipments of cooked poultry to the UAE have been halted.
How the Conflict Affects Trade
Breitenbach explained two concrete impacts:
- All scheduled export discussions with Middle‑East partners were postponed or cancelled.
- Current exports of cooked poultry to the UAE have stopped because of logistical and security concerns linked to the broader U.S.–Israel‑Iran tensions.
These disruptions come at a time when the sector is trying to shift from a predominantly domestic focus to an export‑oriented model.
Progress Made Under the Poultry Master Plan
Launched in 2019, the Poultry Industry Master Plan aimed to reverse years of decline caused by cheap imports and unfair trade practices. The first phase focused on anti‑dumping measures and industry transformation, while the second phase—released last week—targets cooked‑meat exports, biosecurity, and value‑chain development.
Anti‑Dumping Successes
Before 2019, South African producers struggled with imports that were sold below production cost. Breitenbach noted that Brazil, for example, was discarding 30‑50 % of its chicken meat, effectively subsidising its exports.
Since the plan’s inception:
- Anti‑dumping duties have been imposed on nine countries, including Brazil, the United States, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Britain.
- These measures have curtailed the influx of unfairly priced poultry, allowing domestic production to rise by 26 % between 2019 and 2025.
- Overall chicken‑meat exports grew by 9 % in the same period, although they still represent only 2‑3 % of total output.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition credits the master plan with “remarkable” progress in sector transformation, highlighting increased participation of black entrepreneurs across the value chain.
Current Export Landscape
South Africa slaughters roughly 23 million birds per week, translating to about 2 million tons of poultry meat annually. At present, only 50 000 tons (≈2‑3 %) are exported, mainly to neighbouring African states. The master plan’s second phase aims to lift this share by:
- Securing cooked‑meat access to the UK, EU, and Saudi Arabia.
- Implementing stringent biosecurity protocols to meet import requirements.
- Encouraging investment in processing facilities that can add value before export.
- Gross production value in 2024 reached R87.95 billion, of which meat contributed R72.09 billion and eggs R15.86 billion.
- The industry employs more than 110 000 people across farming, processing, distribution, and retail.
- Between 2019 and 2025, cumulative investment exceeded R2.1 billion, supporting upgrades in hatcheries, feed mills, and cold‑chain logistics.
- The Middle‑East conflict has halted cooked‑poultry shipments to the UAE and delayed planned trade meetings.
- Anti‑dumping duties imposed since 2019 have reversed a decade‑long decline, boosting local production by 26 %.
- Exports still account for only 2‑3 % of output; the master plan’s second phase seeks to raise this share through market access in the UK, EU, and Saudi Arabia.
- The sector contributes R74 billion to agriculture, employs over 110 000 workers, and continues to attract significant investment despite ongoing challenges.
Industry Statistics and Economic Impact
The poultry sector remains a cornerstone of South African agriculture:
Despite challenges such as the 2023 avian‑flu outbreak, rising feed costs, and infrastructure bottlenecks at ports and on roads, the sector has maintained steady growth.
Looking Ahead
Breitenbach remains optimistic about the industry’s trajectory, even as geopolitical shocks temporarily stall certain export channels. He emphasised that the master plan’s focus on trade reform, biosecurity, and value‑chain upgrading will position South African poultry to compete globally once normal trade flows resume.
“We are not exporting enough. We need to strategically transform this industry from a local industry to an export industry,” Breitenbach said, echoing the sentiment of policymakers who view expanded exports as a pathway to job creation and foreign‑exchange earnings.
