SA Urged to Extend Trade Agreement for Chicken Imports With US to Brazil

SA Urged- As South Africa grapples with potential food shortages, the local food industry is raising the alarm, urging the government to extend the trade agreement for chicken imports it currently holds with the United States to Brazil. The call comes amid an ongoing ban on Brazilian chicken imports following a localized bird flu outbreak in one Brazilian state.

Currently, South Africa allows the United States to continue poultry exports under a state-level protocol, whereby only affected states are restricted. Industry experts and food importers are demanding the same trade flexibility be extended to Brazil, one of South Africa’s largest poultry suppliers, to prevent a looming crisis.

Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of mechanically deboned meat (MDM), supplies about 95% of South Africa’s total MDM chicken imports. A single bird flu outbreak in one state of Brazil has led to a blanket ban on all chicken imports from the country. This approach contrasts sharply with the trade agreement SA Urged recently signed with the United States, allowing poultry exports to continue from states unaffected by avian influenza.

This discrepancy in trade treatment has sparked criticism from food importers, who argue that Brazil should be given the same opportunity to implement state-based export controls.

SA Urged to Extend Trade Agreement for Chicken Imports With US to Brazil to Avoid Crisis

Merlog Foods, one of South Africa’s largest importers of chicken and chilled meat products, has warned of severe consequences if the current import ban on Brazilian chicken continues. The company’s director, Georg Southey, emphasized that the industry is losing R100 million in animal protein value each week due to the halted imports.

“I am pleased that the Department of Agriculture has formally asked Brazil to provide information about its bird flu outbreak in order to begin the process to lift the import ban,” said Southey. “But I urge the department to act quickly once the technical information is received. We need to resume safe chicken imports from Brazil to avoid a major food security crisis.”

The sentiment is echoed by many in the local food industry who are calling for a consistent trade policy that ensures both economic continuity and food availability. The request is clear: SA Urged must extend its trade agreement model used for the US to Brazil immediately.

Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture signed an agreement with the United States that gives it the autonomy to manage internal poultry export restrictions. This means poultry from states not affected by avian influenza can continue to be exported to South Africa, while only regions with active outbreaks are excluded.

This flexible and pragmatic approach has been praised for maintaining stable supply chains and minimizing the risk of food shortages in South Africa.

Analysts argue that applying the same principles to Brazil is not only fair but necessary, especially given the country’s pivotal role in South Africa’s meat supply. Without this adjustment, the food industry could face serious protein shortages in the coming months.

With Brazil out of the picture, SA Urged access to affordable MDM—a key ingredient in low-cost food products like processed meats, sausages, and meat spreads—is under severe threat. For many low-income households, these protein sources are a crucial part of daily nutrition.

The industry warns that prolonged disruptions to Brazilian imports could result in price hikes, food shortages, and nutritional challenges for millions of South Africans. The food security implications extend far beyond the meat industry and could worsen existing economic hardships.

The Department of Agriculture has already reached out to Brazilian authorities requesting detailed technical reports on the bird flu outbreak. This move is seen as the first step toward lifting the chicken import ban on areas of Brazil not affected by the disease.

However, industry players stress that speed is critical. The longer the delay, the more difficult it becomes to stabilize local supply chains.

The call to action is clear: SA Urged is being urged to extend the trade agreement for chicken imports with the US to Brazil to ensure fair trade practices, protect food supply chains, and prevent a growing hunger crisis. With millions relying on Brazil’s poultry exports for daily sustenance, industry leaders, economists, and food security advocates agree—there’s no time to waste.

SA urged to extend trade agreement for chicken imports with US to Brazil, Brazil chicken import ban, South Africa bird flu, poultry trade agreements, food security South Africa, Merlog Foods, Department of Agriculture South Africa, chicken import crisis, MDM shortage SA Urged.

Source- EWN