The cluck of alarm bells is growing louder in South Africa’s poultry sector after the government inked a deal to expand duty-free chicken imports from the United States. Industry leaders warn that this move, announced by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, could undercut local producers and put thousands of jobs at risk.
Feeling Frozen Out of the Process
When Minister Tau revealed the simplified import process, promising to unlock over US$89 million (1.6 billion rand) in trade, poultry farmers say they were left feather-ruffled. No formal consultations took place before the announcement, leaving producers uncertain about how a bigger tariff-rate quota will affect their bottom line.
From 65 000 to 72 000 Tonnes: A Growing Quota
Since 2016, South Africa has allowed 65 000 tonnes of U.S. poultry to enter tariff-free under a quota system, despite parallel anti-dumping measures. Now that quota has ballooned to 72 000 tonnes. Local farmers argue that every extra kilogram of imported chicken means tighter margins for South African producers already battling high feed costs and economic headwinds.
SAPA’s Two-Point Plea
In May, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) took a stand. They met Minister Tau to demand:
- Formal Consultation before any trade agreement that impacts domestic production.
- Immediate Revocation of the tariff-free quota for U.S. imports.
Yet SAPA has heard only radio silence in the weeks since. No follow-up meetings, no explanations, and no assurances to protect local livelihoods.
An Uneven Playing Field
Producers highlight the one-way nature of the deal: while U.S. poultry floods South African markets duty-free, South African exporters still face barriers to enter the American market. This imbalance, they warn, not only threatens local farms but also erodes confidence in the government’s commitment to fair trade.
Jobs, Farms and Food Security on the Line
South Africa’s poultry industry employs tens of thousands of people from farmhands to processing-plant workers. If the expanded quota remains, SAPA predicts farm shutdowns, widespread job losses, and even reduced availability of affordable protein for families across the country.
Demand for Transparency and Balance
SAPA is clear: future trade deals must be transparent, inclusive, and balanced. They urge the government to explain the contours of the July 29 agreement in full and to scrap the tariff-free quota until a proper consultation takes place.
A Call to Action
The stakes could not be higher. As feed costs and other inputs remain elevated, South Africa’s poultry producers cannot afford further uncertainty. Industry leaders and smallholder farmers alike are watching the government’s next move, hoping it will protect their farms, their jobs, and the nation’s food security.
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