Latest news with #SouthAfricanMeatProcessorsAssociation
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How resuming poultry imports from Brazil can secure South Africa's food future
South Africa partially lifted the ban on poultry imports from Brazil after containing bird flu. Image: File Meat importers and processors have welcomed the government's decision to partially lift the ban on poultry imports from Brazil, saying it will help stabilise local food production and avoid shortages of affordable protein products. The Department of Agriculture confirmed that as of Thursday, June 20, 2025, imports of poultry and poultry products from Brazil will resume, excluding the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, where a bird flu outbreak was reported in May. The South African Meat Processors Association (SAMPA) said the move would help avert major disruptions in the manufacture of staple products such as polony, viennas, and braai wors, which depend on Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) sourced almost entirely from Brazil. 'We are grateful for the urgency displayed by the Department of Agriculture and especially Minister John Steenhuisen, Deputy Director-General Dipeneneng Serage, and his team in averting the full-scale social and humanitarian crisis which the ban imposed on 16 May threatened to unleash,' said SAMPA chairperson Gordon Nicoll. 'While it will take some time for imports of MDM to reach our shores, the situation could have been a lot worse. We hope that this crisis will provide the blueprint for South African authorities should the remaining two poultry-producing regions of Brazil report HPAI outbreaks, so we can avoid any other breaks in supply in the future.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa does not produce MDM in any meaningful quantity. For the past 12 years, Brazil has supplied about 95% of MDM used in South African meat processing, making it an essential component in affordable processed products like russians, frozen burgers, bangers, meat pies, and corned meat. The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) also welcomed the department's decision, calling it a necessary, science-based step to protect industry and consumers. 'We commend the government for acting swiftly and pragmatically in response to Brazil's evolving avian influenza situation,' said AMIE CEO Imameleng Mothebe. 'This regionalised approach, aligned with international best practices, is a positive step toward stabilising the poultry market and safeguarding food security for South African consumers.' According to the department, the decision to partially lift the ban followed a second official report from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock confirming that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak had been successfully contained to a single province. 'The veterinary services of the department engaged with their Brazilian counterparts to determine the extent of the outbreak, steps taken to contain the outbreak, and whether there are any other outbreaks on other farms or in any other state,' said Minister Steenhuisen. 'Information received from the Brazilian authorities demonstrated that poultry products produced outside of the 10km radius from the outbreak are not affected and pose no health risk.' Steenhuisen added: 'We are glad that, a month after the outbreak was reported in Brazil, we have been able to assess and confirm that risks associated with the importation of poultry and poultry products from Brazil are insignificant. We are closely monitoring the situation.' While the suspension remains in place for poultry sourced from Rio Grande do Sul, the department confirmed that all other Brazilian states may resume exports to South Africa from Thursday. The government cautioned that the decision may be reversed if the virus spreads to other regions. AMIE said it would continue pushing for the formal conclusion of a new health certificate agreement between the two countries, which would allow future import bans to apply only to affected areas rather than the entire country. 'AMIE is urging government to finalise the health certificate agreement with Brazil that provides for a regionalised approach to future disease outbreaks,' said Mothebe. 'This agreement is crucial to ensure that future trade disruptions are limited only to affected regions, rather than resulting in blanket national bans.' The association said the May suspension had already triggered noticeable price increases for poultry products in recent weeks, disproportionately affecting lower-income households that rely on affordable chicken cuts and processed meats. 'South Africans have already seen poultry prices surge in recent weeks,' said Mothebe. 'We hope this decision will help ease pressure on the food basket, especially as MDM and affordable chicken cuts are vital to lower-income households and the processed meat sector.' AMIE also urged the department to consider reopening other poultry import markets, including France, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which remain closed despite declaring successful containment of previous HPAI outbreaks to the World Organisation for Animal Health. 'A diversified supply base is essential to building resilience in South Africa's food system,' said Mothebe. 'The reopening of safe and previously approved markets must be prioritised to avoid future disruptions and ensure ongoing supply and competition, which keeps prices in check.' The department said it will continue to monitor the situation in Brazil and assess any new health risks that may arise.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Meat shortages could hit your wallet hard
Karan Beef confirms a case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease at its feedlot Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers Aviation flu could impact the price of poultry in South Africa. Image: File South African consumers may face higher meat prices this winter as outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, an avian flu-related ban on Brazilian poultry imports, and financial turmoil in the local poultry sector tighten supply. Prices of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) have already surged by 140%, pushing up costs for processed products like polony, while disruptions in the beef sector create a complex picture for meat affordability - posing particular challenges for lower-income households. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Gordon Nicoll, chairperson of the South African Meat Processors Association (SAMPA), outlined the challenges: 'We're currently facing a serious supply issue when it comes to raw materials, specifically mechanically deboned meat from Brazil. The problem isn't just about price anymore; it's about whether you can get stock at all. That's the first issue.' Mechanically deboned meat is essential in the production of affordable processed meat products such as polony, viennas, russians, and tinned corned beef, which are staples for many South African households. Domestic production of MDM is minimal, making the country heavily reliant on imports, primarily from Brazil. 'South Africa imports about 19 000 tons per month,' Nicoll said. 'Brazil was the last open source. Now that is closed too, and other suppliers cannot meet our demand.' The suspension of Brazilian poultry imports since May 15, 2025, following an outbreak of bird flu in Rio Grande do Sul, has resulted in a shortage of MDM and increased prices. 'The price of mechanically deboned chicken has increased by 140% since the Brazilian import ban,' said Imameleng Mothebe, CEO of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE). 'Every day with no imports is another nail in the coffin of food security for millions.' At the same time, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa has severely affected the beef sector. A confirmed case at a feedlot in Heidelberg, Gauteng, led to quarantine measures that cut animal slaughtering by nearly 75%. Despite the outbreak, Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), reassured consumers about food safety and supply. 'Although foot-and-mouth disease is a serious concern for producers, beef products are safe and consumers should not be alarmed,' he said. Sihlobo explained that because South Africa is typically a net exporter of beef, export suspensions result in increased domestic supply, which could place downward pressure on prices in the short term. However, producers bear the economic burden. 'Export bans force farmers to hold cattle longer, increasing feed and care costs,' Sihlobo noted. Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the Department of Agriculture has ordered vaccines to cover the KwaZulu-Natal area, while assessments, as well as forward and backward tracing of the outbreak in Gauteng, are ongoing. "Over 900 000 doses of vaccines were ordered, and the first batch is expected to arrive next week. 'These plans are not only about responding to outbreaks, but also about building permanent infrastructure to manage future risks. 'More broadly, we are establishing a Biosecurity Council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority, and industry. We are rolling out a farm-to-fork national traceability system for livestock.' The department is also preparing to establish a Biosecurity Council to improve disease surveillance and control. Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) will open a centralised Operational Centre on June 9, 2025, to coordinate the FMD response. The centre will lead efforts in vaccination, movement control, and collaboration with government and industry stakeholders. 'RMIS was established precisely for a time like this, to provide coordinated leadership and technical expertise,' said RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier. The plan includes expanding veterinary service capacity and creating FMD-free livestock compartments to secure supply chains. The poultry industry is further challenged by the recent business rescue of Daybreak Foods, one of South Africa's largest integrated poultry producers, which had to cull 350,000 chicks amid financial difficulties. This has compounded supply pressures on chicken products. Arnold Prinsloo, CEO of Eskort, called the combined impact of foot-and-mouth disease, the Brazilian import ban, and the Daybreak poultry crisis a 'triple whammy' for food security. 'Meat is going to be more expensive for everyone this winter, but many people will also face the threat of hunger and malnutrition,' he warned, urging government to ease the ban by allowing imports from unaffected regions. The Department of Agriculture has committed to reviewing Brazil's regionalisation application and considering a partial lifting of the import suspension. 'We are following international guidelines which allow trade from zones free of avian influenza,' Steenhuisen said. This approach is aimed at protecting both animal health and food supply stability.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The looming crisis: Foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu's impact on South African meat prices
Aviation flu could impact the price of poultry in South Africa. Image: File South Africa's meat industry is currently under significant pressure as multiple factors combine to strain supply and influence prices. Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) within the country, a ban on mechanically deboned meat (MDM) imports from Brazil due to avian influenza, and challenges facing local poultry producers have created what industry leaders describe as a "perfect storm" impacting availability, affordability, and food security for consumers, particularly those in lower income groups. Gordon Nicoll, chairperson of the South African Meat Processors Association (SAMPA), outlined the challenges: 'We're currently facing a serious supply issue when it comes to raw materials, specifically mechanically deboned meat from Brazil. The problem isn't just about price anymore; it's about whether you can get stock at all. That's the first issue.' Mechanically deboned meat is essential in the production of affordable processed meat products such as polony, viennas, russians, and tinned corned beef, which are staples for many South African households. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Domestic production of MDM is minimal, making the country heavily reliant on imports, primarily from Brazil. 'South Africa imports about 19,000 tons per month,' Nicoll said. 'We used to source MDM globally, but the avian influenza outbreak in Europe closed those markets. Brazil was the last open source. Now that is closed too, and other suppliers cannot meet our demand.' The suspension of Brazilian poultry imports since May 15, 2025, following an outbreak of bird flu in Rio Grande do Sul, has resulted in a shortage of MDM and increased prices. 'The price of mechanically deboned chicken has increased by 140% since the Brazilian import ban,' said Imameleng Mothebe, CEO of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE). 'Every day with no imports is another nail in the coffin of food security for millions.' At the same time, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa has severely affected the beef sector. A confirmed case at a feedlot in Heidelberg, Gauteng, led to quarantine measures that cut animal slaughtering by nearly 75%. Despite the outbreak, Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), reassured consumers about food safety and supply. 'Although foot-and-mouth disease is a serious concern for producers, beef products are safe and consumers should not be alarmed,' he said. Sihlobo explained that because South Africa is typically a net exporter of beef, export suspensions result in increased domestic supply, which could place downward pressure on prices in the short term. However, producers bear the economic burden. 'Export bans force farmers to hold cattle longer, increasing feed and care costs,' Sihlobo noted. Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the Department of Agriculture has ordered vaccines to cover the KwaZulu-Natal area, while assessments, as well as forward and backward tracing of the outbreak in Gauteng, are ongoing. "Over 900,000 doses of vaccines were ordered, and the first batch is expected to arrive next week. 'These plans are not only about responding to outbreaks, but also about building permanent infrastructure to manage future risks. 'More broadly, we are establishing a Biosecurity Council that will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), veterinarians, scientists, the Border Management Authority, and industry. We are rolling out a farm-to-fork national traceability system for livestock.' The department is also preparing to establish a Biosecurity Council to improve disease surveillance and control. Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) will open a centralised Operational Centre on June 9, 2025, to coordinate the FMD response. The centre will lead efforts in vaccination, movement control, and collaboration with government and industry stakeholders. 'RMIS was established precisely for a time like this, to provide coordinated leadership and technical expertise,' said RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier. The plan includes expanding veterinary service capacity and creating FMD-free livestock compartments to secure supply chains. The poultry industry is further challenged by the recent business rescue of Daybreak Foods, one of South Africa's largest integrated poultry producers, which had to cull 350,000 chicks amid financial difficulties. This has compounded supply pressures on chicken products. Arnold Prinsloo, CEO of Eskort, South Africa's leading antibiotic-free meat producer, described the combined impacts of the FMD outbreak, Brazilian import suspension, and Daybreak's crisis as a 'triple whammy' for food security. 'Meat is going to be more expensive for everyone this winter, but many people will also face the threat of hunger and malnutrition,' Prinsloo said. He urged the government to narrow the Brazilian import ban to the affected state, Rio Grande do Sul, to allow imports from disease-free regions. The Department of Agriculture has committed to reviewing Brazil's regionalisation application and considering a partial lifting of the import suspension. 'We are following international guidelines which allow trade from zones free of avian influenza,' Steenhuisen said. This approach is aimed at protecting both animal health and food supply stability. AMIE also advocates opening poultry imports from other AI-free countries such as France, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium, to diversify supply and ease economic risks. Industry bodies, including SAMPA, AMIE, and Eskort, are pressing Steenhuisen to expedite approvals for regionalisation agreements and to reopen trade with approved markets. 'These steps are essential to stabilise supply, ease price pressures, and safeguard jobs across the processed meat value chain,' Mothebe said. While challenges remain, the department emphasises that South African consumers should have confidence in the safety of meat products and supports biosecurity measures to limit disease spread. Livestock owners are urged to adhere strictly to movement restrictions and hygiene protocols. The government and industry are working collaboratively to mitigate the impact of these crises on the meat sector and to protect the food security of all South Africans, especially vulnerable communities who rely on affordable protein sources.
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
SA meat processors body urges swift action to lift Brazil poultry ban as job losses mount
The South African Meat Processors Association (Sampa) has welcomed signs of progress in efforts to lift the ban on poultry and poultry-product imports from Brazil but has warned urgent action is needed to prevent further job losses and a shortage of affordable protein products. The government has banned poultry products from the South American country, which recently announced a bird flu outbreak in one of its regions. The agriculture department confirmed this week steps are being taken to resolve the import suspension, which was imposed in response to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, in Brazil. Sampa acknowledged the government's response and engagement but stressed that zoning — or regionalisation — must be implemented without delay to allow imports from unaffected areas of Brazil to resume. 'We urge the government to implement zoning (regionalisation) with all haste as the ban has placed more than 125,000 jobs at risk in the manufacturing sector, on top of the grave threat it poses to South Africa's food security.'
