Poultry Imports

 In 2024, chicken imports showed mixed trends compared to 2023:

• Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) increased by 6%, averaging 19,910 metric tons (MT) per month.
• Chicken offal imports increased by 9%, averaging 7,805 MT.
• Bone-in cuts saw a sharp decline of 44%, dropping to 3,243 MT.
• Boneless chicken imports fell slightly by 4% to 202 MT.
• Overall, total chicken imports excluding MDM decreased by 8%, averaging 13,201 MT per month.

 

Source: SARS import statistics

 

Poultry Exports

Looking at the latest trade statistics, chicken exports in the last 12 months totalled 58,045 tonnes, a 4% increase year-on-year (figures ending March 2025), with bone-in chicken being the leading poultry export commodity.

South Africa origin (produced in SA) chicken exports totalled 40,596 metric tons in the last 12 months (figures ending March 2025).

 

In January, SAPA reported progress in opening export markets. Residue monitoring programmes have been submitted, and inspections by the UK and Saudi Arabia are expected in the coming months.

These inspections are essential steps toward gaining access to the UK, the European Union (EU), and Saudi Arabian markets, with cooked chicken products, such as breast meat, being the primary focus.

According to SAPA, exports of uncooked chicken to these markets are not anticipated at this stage.

 

Poultry Outlook 2025

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) forecasts that South Africa’s chicken meat production will increase by 3% to 1.65 million tons in 2025 as a result of a strengthening domestic sector.

Production is estimated to increase by 6% to 1.59 million tons as the industry has rebounded from the 2023 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak.

Decreasing food inflation and softening poultry prices are projected to boost domestic consumption of chicken meat, which is expected to increase by 2% to 1.88 million tons in 2025.

Imports are projected to decrease by a further 6% in 2025 to 300,000 tons, due to heightened domestic production and decreased competitiveness of imported product due to high tariffs and anti-dumping duties.

Chicken meat exports are predicted to rise by 8% to 70,000 tons in 2025, with poultry remaining a preferred protein for major markets. South Africa primarily exports to Southern Africa.

 

Global Poultry Market Shifts

Global poultry trade is experiencing significant changes due to geopolitical tariff disputes and the ongoing battle against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) impacting poultry and egg supplies worldwide.

Since early this year, HPAI outbreaks have been reported in over 34 countries. As a result, Brazil, which remains HPAI-free, has emerged as the leading chicken exporter to major markets.

This pivot in poultry trade has been crucial as outbreaks of HPAI in other major producing nations have reduced global poultry availability.

EU countries have turned to Brazil, Ukraine, Argentina, and Thailand to compensate for reduced domestic production.

Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq have diversified their imports, sourcing more from Brazil and Ukraine to mitigate risks associated with HPAI outbreaks.

Since 2023, the Philippine’s has substantially increased imports from Brazil, while in Africa, Brazil is the leading poultry exporter to South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Ghana, Angola, and Algeria.

 

Chicken Imports: Market Access

The following markets have recently reopened:

• Chile (HPAI)
• Denmark (HPAI)

 

The following markets are currently closed due to disease outbreak:

• Australia (HPAI)
• Belgium (HPAI)
• Canada (HPAI)
• France (HPAI)
• Germany (AFS & HPAI)
• Hungary (HPAI)
• Israel (HPAI)
• Netherlands (HPAI)
• New Zealand (HPAI)
• Poland (HPAI)
• Sweden (HPAI)
• United Kingdom (HPAI)
• Zimbabwe (HPAI)

 

USA States banned for imports:

1. Iowa
2. Minnesota
3. Montana
4. Nevada
5. New Jersey
6. New York
7. Oregon
8. South Dakota
9. Utah
10. California
11. Alabama
12. Washington
13. Missouri
14. North Dakota
15. Arkansas
16. Georgia
17. Maryland
18. Ohio
19. Wisconsin
20. Colorado
21. Michigan
22. Kansas
23. Idaho
24. Pennsylvania
25. Indiana
26. Florida
27. Nebraska
28. North Carolina
29. Texas
30. New Mexico
31. Massachusetts
32. Illinois
33. Delaware
34. South Caroli

 

ChickenFacts is closely monitoring the progress of these markets to keep you updated on the latest movements.