It’s consumer news that is dominating the headlines this week, with some political uncertainty here at home, some argument for continued tariffs, and a rather peculiar call for more work on an expired Master Plan.
Consumer News
Our latest consumer index is showing that eggs, milk and bread were leading the inflation charge this last month.
The price of rice is also increasing ominously, adding further pressure to the basic food basket. Our Food Basket analysis for rice showed how India’s freeze on exports, combined with floods and droughts, have affected the global rice supply.
And – peripherally – our soybean harvest this last year is down, prices will therefore go up. Soybeans are a crucial ingredient in chicken feed, which does not bode well for the input costs for chicken farmers.
Industry News
Our Trade, Industry and Competition minister will not be returning to cabinet, so it will be interesting to see who the replacement will be.
This article, based on a press release issued by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) through their lobby group Fairplay, speaks rather confusingly about the Poultry Master Plan which expired in 2023. And refers to investment in the poultry industry which dates back to 2019.
Perhaps it is time for a whole new Poultry Master Plan.
Support Industry News
A lack of veterinarians is affecting the ability of our chicken farmers to keep healthy flocks. The result is a decrease in the volume of exports to countries with high phyto-sanitary standards, such as the EU.
Import/Export News
Here is a very interesting article on the case for an extension of the tariff rebate. It makes the point that increased protection for the local industry should make prices go down, but the opposite has happened.
