Brazil’s Bird Flu Triggers Poultry Dispute in South Africa

A fresh outbreak of bird flu in Brazil has reignited tensions within South Africa’s poultry industry, triggering fierce debate over the country’s reliance on imported chicken.

The outbreak, confirmed last week in Rio Grande do Sul — a key poultry-producing state in Brazil — has prompted immediate reactions from South African industry players, each taking a very different stance on how the country should respond.

On one side, the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) is calling for a targeted import ban, limited only to poultry products from the affected Brazilian region. The association warns that a complete ban could lead to skyrocketing food prices and a serious protein shortage, particularly for lower-income households.

“Imported poultry helps fill the local supply gap and keeps chicken prices affordable,” said AMIE CEO Imameleng Mothebe. “Removing Brazilian imports altogether could push prices up dramatically and hurt the most vulnerable South Africans.”

Poultry, particularly mechanically deboned meat (MDM) and bone-in chicken, is an essential part of the local diet. South Africa doesn’t commercially produce MDM, and Brazil remains the only supplier capable of meeting the country’s demand. According to Mothebe, “There are simply no immediate alternatives if Brazil is entirely blocked.”

Meanwhile, the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) takes a different view. Its Broiler Organisation CEO, Izaak Breitenbach, believes a blanket ban is both feasible and necessary to protect local poultry from the risk of contamination.

“South African farmers produce more than 21.5 million chickens a week, and we can increase that to 22.5 million if needed,” Breitenbach said. “We can ramp up quickly to avoid a crisis.”

He argues that South Africa must put biosecurity first, and follow in the footsteps of China and the European Union, both of which have already suspended Brazilian poultry imports as a precaution.

As of now, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has not issued an official position on the matter. But industry stakeholders are urging the government to act quickly — whether that means enforcing a regional ban or preparing for a full import halt.

For now, the future of South Africa’s chicken supply hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only determine the direction of trade policy but could shape the affordability of basic nutrition for millions.

{Source: The Witness}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com