Merlog Foods, one of South Africa’s largest meat-importing companies, is calling on the Department of Agriculture to urgently finalise agreements with Brazil that were promised last year. These agreements would ensure uninterrupted chicken imports into South Africa.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The company says South Africa is facing a serious food security crisis, with red meat prices skyrocketing because of widespread cattle slaughter caused by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks. This has made protein a luxury item that millions of low-income households can no longer afford.
“The situation is getting worse. Rising petrol and diesel prices will drive up food costs further,” said Georg Southey, manager at Merlog Foods. “Fertiliser costs have also increased due to ongoing Middle East conflicts, which will affect grain and animal feed prices throughout the entire food supply chain.”
The Brazil Agreement Solution
Southey said the proposed agreement with Brazil would allow chicken imports from disease-free regions even when bird flu outbreaks occur in other parts of the country. Currently, a single bird flu case anywhere in Brazil triggers a complete ban on all Brazilian chicken imports to South Africa.
“It is in this context that proactively protecting the supply of affordable imported chicken is a food security imperative,” said Southey. “The Department of Agriculture must conclude this agreement with Brazil now, not after the next bird flu crisis has already begun.”
Also read: ‘We know your challenges; here’s how Brazil overcame them’ – Brazilian agricultural attaché Rodrigo Lopes de Almeida
Lessons from 2025
In 2025, one confirmed bird flu case in a single Brazilian state led to a four-month ban on all Brazilian chicken imports. This included mechanically deboned meat (MDM), which is essential for making Vienna sausages and polony.
The impact was immediate and severe. Without sufficient MDM supply, polony and Vienna prices rose sharply, leaving low-income households unable to afford these protein sources. MDM-derived products currently provide approximately 100 million meals per week in South Africa.
Also watch: WATCH | SA looks to Brazil as an example to eradicate FMD – Steenhuisen
Government Action Needed
Southey has written to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, urging immediate action. His letter states: “Imports already account for approximately 10% of national meat consumption and are essential in maintaining supply stability and affordability. If we are to protect food security and ensure continued access to affordable protein, bird flu agreements with Brazil and other key suppliers should be strengthened.”
Progress Stalled
Southey said the Department of Agriculture previously committed to beginning talks with Brazil, but progress has stalled. He warned that South Africa cannot afford to wait for another bird flu outbreak before putting necessary frameworks in place.
“We cannot only respond to the crisis at hand – we must prevent the next one,” Southey said. “With meat prices continuing to rise and broader food price inflation on the horizon, the time to act is now.”
Upcoming Opportunity
A South African team of scientists were scheduled to meet with their Brazilian counterparts in the week of 23 March 2026 to discuss FMD and bird flu issues. This meeting was postponed to early April, and presents an opportunity to finalise the agreement.
This technical meeting results partly from Minister Steenhuisen’s efforts and was arranged after President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil in March.
Also read and watch:
South Africa lifts the ban on Brazil’s poultry imports
Brazil, South Africa strengthen cooperation on protein food security
WATCH | Pasture-based poultry system keeps chickens moving and thriving
