Vaccination is a key tool in a layer producer’s arsenal to protect hens against Gumboro disease, but not all vaccines are equally suitable.
Compiled by Michael Acott
Poultry imports dropped slightly in 2025 after increases in the previous two years. The main reason for the drop was the nine-week bird-flu ban imposed on poultry imports from Brazil.
The lower total, nearly 379 000 tons, with a landed value of R4.95 billion, continues a steady decline in poultry imports since they peaked in 2018 at 566 000 tons with a landed price of R6.5 billion.
Due to the Brazil ban, chicken imports hit a 10-year low in July at 10 000 tons. They quickly recovered to 58 500 tons in October, 40 000 tons in November and nearly 49 000 tons in December.
Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) and offal products accounted for nearly 80% of poultry imports in 2025. MDM is a paste used in the manufacture of processed meats such as polony. Offal products include chicken heads, feet and livers.
Brazil was the leading supplier (84.9%), followed by Argentina (5.6%) and the European Union (4.2%). The EU has been severely affected by bird flu, and by the end of 2025 all EU countries were banned from exporting to South Africa.
South Africa’s chicken exports in 2025 dropped to just under 42 000 tons after a spurt to more than 56 000 tons in 2025. The 2025 total was well below the 50 000 tons recorded in 2019, when the poultry masterplan was signed.
The masterplan envisaged an exports bonanza, with export volumes doubling and trebling over a decade. Instead, export volumes hardly moved until 2024.
Most of South Africa’s chicken exports went to neighbouring states, led by Lesotho (49%), Mozambique (16%) and Namibia (10%).
The only featured market in the Middle East, which is considered a priority destination for expanded chicken exports, was the United Arab Emirates (4%).
This article first appeared in Poultry Bulletin (Issue 31) April/May 2026 and is republished with permission. Click the cover below for the full edition.
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