South African meat and poultry importers are continuing to face a multitude of challenges, ranging from global inflation to the sluggish reopening of markets, all of which are impacting the affordability of products, says Paul Matthew of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (Amie).
“South African authorities have also been slow to reopen markets deemed free of avian flu by the World Organisation for Animal Health, an internationally recognised body, resulting in limited markets to import from.
"This does not make South Africa an attractive trading partner for the overseas market,” he told Freight News.
“But perhaps the ultimate reality is the affordability of imported bone-in portions for poultry, specifically due to the depreciating rand and increased duty from 37% to 62%.
The price increases are causing many consumers in the mass market to change eating habits to cheaper alternatives. Total meat imports, which include beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and lamb products, amounted to only 32 380 million tonnes in August.
This is down 43% year-on-year.”
- Read the rest here: "Authorities slow to reopen avia flu-free markets."
