Aviagen South Africa opens expanded Schikfontein Farm facilities
Customers, distributors and government representatives attended the facility opening and toured the expanded operations.
SOUTH AFRICA – Aviagen South Africa has opened an expanded facility at Schikfontein Farm in Heidelberg as the poultry genetics company increases its investment in its South African operations.
More than 30 customers, industry representatives and government officials attended the opening, alongside the company’s local distributors, including Astral Foods through Ross Poultry Breeders, Arbor Acres South Africa and Rainbow Chickens.
The event was hosted by Duard Kleynhans, General Manager of Aviagen South Africa, while Sergio Illán, President of Aviagen TMEA, delivered the opening address, formally inaugurated the facility and guided guests through the expanded site.
Illán said the poultry sector had continued operating despite disease outbreaks, higher costs and pressures affecting global markets, but added that future growth would require further spending on production capacity, new technologies and cooperation across the industry.
Kleynhans said the expansion would allow Aviagen South Africa to provide customers with more consistent access to breeding stock, genetics and technical support while supporting longer-term poultry production in the country.
He said the investment covered the company’s facilities, workforce and operational capabilities, with the aim of improving its ability to serve customers and contribute to domestic food production.
Industry response
The company’s distributors also linked the project to the need for greater investment in South Africa’s agricultural production and breeding infrastructure.
Robert Roszkopf, Managing Director of Astral Foods, said the project reflected continued investment in domestic production, biosecurity and technology, while adding that Aviagen’s local breeding capacity remained important to the poultry supply chain.
Arno van der Nat, General Manager of Arbor Acres South Africa, said the planning involved in developing the new facilities demonstrated Aviagen’s focus on its South African operations and would support the industry’s expansion.
Mbusi Dlamini, Breed & Agriculture Director at Rainbow Chickens, said the expanded site incorporated technology and production systems designed around biosecurity, animal welfare and breeding standards.
Dlamini added that the new infrastructure would strengthen links across the domestic poultry value chain and support the supply of breeding stock as demand for poultry products increases.
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