Chicken import rebate ‘good for the poor’

The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (Amie) believes the government’s move to implement rebates on boneless and bone-in chicken portions will most notably impact the poor, who rely on it for protein.

On Friday, the association applauded Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel and the International Trade Administration Commission

of South Africa (Itac) for making the decision. The rebate decision is outlined in a Government Gazette amendment dated 26 January 2024, which provides for a 30% rebate for boneless and a 25% rebate for bone-in cuts of imported chicken.

Imported chicken currently carries a duty of 62% for frozen bone-in and 42% for boneless chicken pieces.

The decision, however, places what seems to be a time cap on the relief of imports by noting it will be in place “for the duration of a shortage of chicken as a result of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in South Africa”.

“As Amie, we congratulate the minister and Itac on this decision and look forward to the guidelines to be published in due course,” Amie said.

“We also hope that the department recognises the importance of this move for consumers, and that they streamline the process to eliminate any red tape in rebate applications for importers.”

It added: “Government’s mandate is to act on behalf of its citizens, and this requires it to do all it can to ensure that the country is food secure and that the poor are able to afford poultry.

“This decision demonstrates that the minister is acutely aware of this.”

Last year was a torrid year for many poultry farmers in SA as it ushered in the worst bird flu outbreak the sector has seen yet.

This resulted in the mass culling of birds and caused an egg shortage in many parts of the country.