‘Poultry sector tussle is about market share’

The tussle over the South African poultry industry, involving the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters and the South African Poultry Association, is very interesting in an economic, political and social sense.

After listening to arguments from both the importing dealers’ and local producers’ perspectives, one is left confused. However, as a consumer and agriculturist I’d like to explain it in my own way.

The purpose of any business is to make a profit, so it is a blatant lie to claim that any commercial entity is in business to serve the poor. Therefore, the whole tussle is about market share, competition and unfair advantage.

I don’t see how South Africa would benefit from importing chickens. How can the claimed affordability of [imported] chicken meat alone outweigh the many advantages of producing it locally? I consider it a case of the country’s labour market and the many local suppliers, be it of chickens, feed, animal health products and services, logistics, and abattoirs, losing out.

In addition, while the import tariffs are beneficial to South Africa, importers must prove that their produce is not simply being dumped here. The political support of the local chicken industry in the form of the Poultry Sector Master Plan bodes well for the country, as it will likely address the high unemployment rate, attract investments, drive the expansion of the country’s poultry sector, and create more demand and opportunities for various local suppliers, thereby boosting the economy. Sithembiso Malusi Mahlaba, via email