Panic Over Meat Supply: Food Shortages and Job Cuts Loom in South Africa

Meat producers raise red flags as Brazil chicken import deadlock threatens food security and factory jobs

After weeks of cautious optimism, South Africa’s meat industry is spiraling back into crisis. Just days after the government announced a partial lifting of the ban on chicken imports from Brazil, the situation has once again hit a wall and this time, it’s a bureaucratic one.

The South African Meat Processors Association (SAMPA) has confirmed that a technical standoff over import documentation means mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a key ingredient in many local meat products, remains stuck at Brazil’s ports. And here at home, factories are running dry.

Why It Matters: The People’s Protein is Drying Up

MDM might sound like an industry term, but it’s the backbone of affordable protein for millions of South Africans. It’s used in everything from polony and Russians to braai wors, meat pies, and viennas, foods that line supermarket shelves and provide low-cost nutrition to households already squeezed by inflation.

But here’s the problem: South Africa doesn’t produce MDM at scale. We import it, almost exclusively from Brazil, which supplies 95% of our MDM stock.

When avian flu broke out in parts of Brazil in May 2025, South Africa slammed the door shut on all poultry imports. The blowback was immediate. Producers warned of food shortages, factory closures, and job losses.

In response, the Department of Agriculture softened the blow by partially lifting the ban on June 19, allowing imports from Brazilian regions unaffected by the virus. But hope quickly faded.

The two countries are now stuck in a technical deadlock over South Africa’s Import Health Certificate, with Brazil refusing to accept the proposed wording. So, even with the ban eased, no new stock is moving and supplies are almost gone.

Factories Idle, Jobs in Jeopardy

“Our members have not received MDM in two months,” SAMPA warned. “Some processors have already been forced to lay off staff.”

With over 125,000 people employed in the meat processing sector, the ripple effects could be devastating. According to SAMPA, even if a resolution were reached today, stock would only reach South Africa by August meaning three months of shutdowns for many factories.

For a country already grappling with record unemployment and economic uncertainty, that’s a blow it can’t afford.

Triple Threat to Meat Supply

To make matters worse, the MDM crisis isn’t happening in isolation. South Africa’s meat industry is also contending with:

• A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak at the country’s largest beef feedlot

• The collapse of DayBreak Foods, a key poultry producer

• Persistent load shedding, which complicates cold chain logistics

The result? Meat prices are already climbing, with Stats SA’s May CPI data showing upward pressure.

And with the nation entering its coldest months, many low-income families will struggle to afford even basic protein.

Public Frustration Mounts

On the streets and online, frustration is bubbling over. Social media users have called out the government for its sluggish response and questioned how a certificate wording issue could be allowed to jeopardize national food security.

“How are we still arguing over paper while shelves are empty and people are losing jobs?” one X user posted.

“Polony and wors might sound like luxuries to some, but they’re dinner for most families,” said a Cape Town meat vendor. “No stock means no business.”

A Call for Urgency

SAMPA and industry players are pleading for immediate intervention. They’re calling on both governments to resolve the documentation impasse, resume MDM shipments, and prevent further damage to the industry and economy.

“We are urgently calling on Brazil and South Africa to find a solution before more jobs are lost, more businesses close, and more plates go empty,” the association warned.

{Source: BusinessTech}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com