Poultry-dumping report reflects local producers’ dodgy tactics

I refer to “Poultry producers cry foul over chicken dumping” (February 18), in which it is claimed that chicken dumping is adversely affecting the local poultry industry.

Nothing could be further from the truth — the report is absolute hogwash, and merely another attempt by local producers to increase their market share from about 85% to 100%. There is a word for this: greed.

The local poultry industry is having the most profitable year of its long history. Recent published financial results from three of its major players — Astral Foods, RCL and Sovereign Foods — attest to this. This was achieved despite the well-reported avian influenza outbreak in South Africa.

Over the past 12 months, imported chicken volumes have dropped by 3% and have made no inroads into the dominance of local players.

If the local industry feels that it is being financially harmed by Brazilian imports, it should launch another one of its regular cynical anti-dumping actions, wherein it can table recent financial details reflecting its current distress.

David Wolpert, CEO, Association of Meat Importers and Exporters