South Africa is intensifying efforts to boost domestic poultry production and reduce reliance on imports, a commitment noted last week by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi during an Executive Oversight Committee meeting in Bronkhorstspruit. The Poultry Masterplan, initially launched as a public-private partnership, aims to increase local output. The Masterplan, a collaborative initiative between government and industry stakeholders, was first established to foster growth and sustainability within the nation's poultry sector. Mr. Godlimpi stated, "The long and short of it is that we do not want to import chicken from other countries anymore. We want local companies to grow more chickens." This clear directive shows the government's strategic intent to bolster domestic capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Deputy Minister Godlimpi further elaborated on the plan's inclusive approach, emphasizing the goal of diversifying production ownership. He noted, "Part of what we are doing is to ensure that the chicken is produced by as diverse a group of South Africans as possible. We want big commercial South African farmers to produce and supply South Africa with chicken alongside small and rural farmers." This vision aims to create a more equitable and broadly participative poultry industry. Mr. Godlimpi added that the first phase's achievements demonstrate that sustained local production and export performance could significantly reduce foreign chicken imports. He remarked, "The achievements of these black farmers also confirms the amount of ground that we can cover when big commercial farmers are working together with small farmers, with the support of government and its agencies." This statement notes the potential for synergistic collaboration across different scales of farming operations, supported by governmental bodies.
Phase Two Goals and Pillars
The next phase of South Africa's Poultry Masterplan aims to deepen localisation, expand exports, and ensure broader participation throughout the poultry value chain. This second phase intends to build on the foundations established during the initial stage of the plan, leveraging the successes and lessons learned from its predecessor. The overarching goal of this renewed initiative is to significantly reduce chicken imports by scaling up local production capacity. This ambitious target reflects a strong commitment to national food security and economic self-reliance.
The core pillars of Phase 2 include several strategic objectives. These involve achieving exports of cooked meat products and implementing strategies to increase local demand for poultry. The focus on cooked meat products for export signifies a move towards higher-value processing and market diversification. The plan also focuses on ensuring effective trade measures are in place to support the industry, which includes safeguarding local producers from unfair competition. Biosecurity measures for both local and export markets are a key component, designed to safeguard production and maintain market access, ensuring the health and safety of poultry products. A significant pillar of Phase 2 is the transformation of the entire value chain within the poultry industry. This transformation places a strong emphasis on providing targeted support for black-owned enterprises and emerging farmers, aiming to foster greater inclusion and participation in the sector. This targeted support is key for addressing historical imbalances and promoting a more representative industry.
Industry Performance and Growth
South Africa's poultry sector has demonstrated significant growth, with the national slaughter rate now reaching 23 million birds per week. This increased domestic production has coincided with a notable reduction in imports, which currently account for 22% of the country's total poultry consumption. This decline in import dependency shows the success of the Masterplan's initial phase in bolstering local supply. Export performance has also improved, recording a 9% growth, indicating a growing capacity to compete in international markets.
The poultry industry stands as the largest contributor to South Africa's agricultural sector. In 2024, it reported a total annual gross value of production nearing R87.95 billion, comprising R72.09 billion from meat and R15.86 billion from eggs. This strong performance means the industry was responsible for 19.1% of the total agricultural gross value and 44.4% of the gross value derived from animal products during the same year. These figures highlight the significant economic footprint of the poultry sector within the broader agricultural landscape. Between 2019 and 2025, aggregate chicken meat exports, encompassing fresh, frozen, whole birds, cut pieces, and offal, collectively showed a 9% increase. This sustained growth in exports across various product categories demonstrates the industry's expanding reach and competitiveness. The continuous improvement in both production volumes and export figures reinforces the strategic importance of the Poultry Masterplan in driving economic development and job creation.
Transformation and Future Outlook
Phase 2 of the Poultry Masterplan has received formal commitment from both government and industry stakeholders. This formal commitment signifies a unified approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities within the sector. The overarching goal of this renewed initiative is to significantly reduce chicken imports by scaling up local production capacity. Key priorities for Phase 2 include expanding exports, particularly of cooked poultry products, stimulating local demand, strengthening biosecurity measures, and improving access to international markets. These priorities are designed to create a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive poultry industry.
The renewed commitment was formalized through signatures from a broad range of industry players and associations. These included the South African Poultry Association, the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters, Emerging Black Importers and Exporters South Africa, and the Food and Allied Workers Union. Major poultry companies such as Astral Foods, Rainbow Chicken, Country Bird Holdings, and Daybreak Foods also signed the commitment, alongside the African Farmers Association of South Africa. This collective engagement shows a unified approach to the masterplan's objectives, demonstrating a shared vision among diverse stakeholders. The widespread participation from both large-scale commercial entities and representative bodies for emerging farmers and labor groups notes the full nature of the commitment.
During the proceedings, certificates of excellence were awarded to several black-owned poultry businesses. These businesses spanned various segments of the value chain, including contract growers, hatcheries, feed mills, abattoirs, and processors. This recognition serves to acknowledge and encourage the growth of black entrepreneurs within the sector. Government officials view these achievements as evidence that transformation and industrial growth can progress concurrently within the sector. This perspective reinforces the belief that economic expansion can be achieved hand-in-hand with equitable development. It is believed that this collaborative model, demonstrating success in the poultry industry, should be replicated across South Africa’s 52 district municipalities. Such replication aims to unlock broader agricultural development and stimulate rural economic growth nationwide, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector across the country.
