South African consumers could face price hikes if Brazilian poultry is banned – AMIE

SOUTH AFRICA – The recent outbreak of avian influenza in Brazil has sparked concerns in South Africa’s poultry industry, with calls mounting for a possible nationwide ban on chicken imports from the South American country.

While some stakeholders are pushing for the ban to prevent the disease from reaching local farms, the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) is opposing the idea, urging the government to consider targeted restrictions instead.

Brazil is South Africa’s primary source of imported poultry, and AMIE warns that a blanket ban could destabilize the country’s chicken supply and hurt consumers, especially those who rely on chicken as an affordable protein.

According to AMIE, countries such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and the UAE have already restricted imports from specific infected regions in Brazil rather than halting all poultry shipments.

AMIE CEO Imameleng Mothebe says an outright ban would severely interrupt the flow of poultry products into the country, reducing availability and pushing prices beyond the reach of lower-income households.

She points out that imported poultry, especially from Brazil, fills a vital gap in domestic supply and contributes to pricing stability through market competition.

Mothebe adds that chicken remains the cheapest source of animal protein for most South Africans and any major disruption in supply could threaten national food access.

Data from AMIE shows Brazil supplied approximately 92% of all mechanically deboned meat (MDM) brought into South Africa in the past year, averaging 18,000 metric tonnes monthly.

In addition, Brazil accounts for about 73% of the other poultry products imported into the country, reinforcing its importance to the local meat processing sector.

MDM, a key ingredient in processed meat products, is not currently manufactured in South Africa on a commercial scale, leaving the country heavily dependent on imports.

AMIE says there are currently no alternative markets that could fill the shortfall if Brazilian poultry imports were entirely blocked.

The association is pushing for a regional approach, allowing imports from parts of Brazil not affected by the flu while suspending those from contaminated areas.

This, AMIE argues, aligns with how other countries have responded and would allow South Africa to keep importing safe poultry products without compromising its disease prevention efforts.

Mothebe also criticized the government for delays in reopening import routes from places like the Netherlands, France, and certain U.S. states that have recovered from previous avian flu outbreaks.

She warns that keeping these channels closed is further squeezing the supply and placing extra pressure on consumers already struggling with food prices.

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