by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) — THE South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has called on the government to support rather than dismantle the country’s poultry industry, warning that policy missteps could threaten jobs, food security, and rural livelihoods.
The association’s Broiler Organisation CEO, Izaak Breitenbach, made the remarks following the Competition Commission’s market inquiry into the poultry sector, which raised concerns about the dominance of large, vertically integrated producers that control genetics, feed, and day-old chicks.
Breitenbach argued that the inquiry’s focus risks overlooking the strategic role of integration in keeping South Africa’s most affordable protein available to consumers.
“The debate must be rooted in facts, not ideology,” he said. “Large producers don’t restrict participation — they enable it by supporting thousands of contract growers with inputs, veterinary services, and guaranteed markets.”
He noted that during the recent avian influenza outbreak, large firms absorbed major costs to maintain national supply, importing hatching eggs and securing parent stock to protect both employment and food availability.
Breitenbach stressed that vertically integrated poultry production is a global standard, not a South African anomaly.
“It is this model that ensures smaller producers can access affordable, high-quality chicks and feed,” he said.
SAPA maintains that the real threats to competition come from external pressures such as dumped imports, high feed prices, load-shedding, and poor logistics — factors that erode profitability and discourage new entrants.
Instead of penalising established producers, the industry has urged the Commission to focus on collaborative solutions such as blended finance schemes, improved trade defences, and public-private partnerships that expand opportunities for smallholders.
“Breaking scale won’t build resilience,” Breitenbach concluded.
“Strengthening collaboration between government and industry will.”
The poultry sector supports over 134,000 jobs and contributes significantly to South Africa’s agricultural output.
– CAJ News