The issue of hungry and malnourished children is certainly not a typical ice-breaker at weekend socials. While many South Africans have never experienced a critical lack of nutrients or felt the harsh realities of starvation, it is a stark reality that impacts on the broader fabric of society.

Over 9 million school-going children are dependent on the meals they receive at schools and when it is school holidays that one meal a day also falls away.

Apart from this, according to the National Institutes of Health, South Africans are estimated to consume up to 24 teaspoons of sugar per day—double the daily WHO recommendation.

South Africa’s unemployment rate is sky-rocketing and default meals are high in carbohydrates but low in amino acids (protein) and minerals.

In an interview with David Harrison, CEO of DG Murray Trust, ChickenFacts shines the spotlight on South Africa’s ‘protein security crisis,’ exploring its implications and potential solutions.

 

Growth Stunting

Although a significant proportion of our children are severely malnourished, the majority of malnourished children are suffering from chronic malnutrition.

Harrison reports that 15,000 acutely malnourished children are hospitalised annually, with 1,000 dying as a direct result. A 2022 study found malnutrition is the underlying cause in a third of child deaths in South Africa, totalling 10,000 deaths yearly.

“While that is a problem, the bigger problem is chronic, sustained undernutrition of our children. About 28% of our children under five years old are stunted, and only about 7% of them are underweight. So, we’ve got a height problem, and that’s a protein problem.”

Harrison further highlighted that growth stunting leeches out the potential for these children to learn at school and ultimately their potential to participate in the economy.

These alarming figures highlight the urgency of addressing the protein security crisis.

 

Policy Interventions

Beyond the immediate health risks, malnutrition has long-term economic ramifications.

The World Bank estimates that undernutrition can reduce a country’s GDP by as much as 3%. In a nation where economic inequality remains a pressing issue, ensuring proper nutrition is not just a humanitarian concern but a critical economic imperative.

Harrison further noted that a greater focus is needed on local production and supply, particularly of protein-rich foods.

Citing examples of successful nutrition policies, Harrison pointed to Peru, Chile, and several other Latin American countries, where presidents have taken the lead and focused on ensuring that every single child is well-nourished. “There needs to be that overarching political support and leadership,” he emphasised.

Malaysia has prioritised food affordability through a combination of subsidising staples, providing low-cost food outlets, and introducing a cap on food prices. These interventions have ensured that every person in the country can afford enough food, making a significant impact. Notably, Malaysia boasts the lowest inflation rate in Southeast Asia, thanks to its ability to control the prices of staple foods.

 

Access to Affordable Protein-Rich Foods

DG Murray Trust is responsible for a proposed initiative which advocates for a basket of ten double-discounted, protein-rich food items.

The initiative appeals to government and industry to subsidise or waive the markup on one food label of each product.

“We need government and industry to come to the table. If retailers and even manufacturers were willing to waive the markup on one food label and government would match it with the retail subsidy, we would significantly reduce the cost by about 20-25% of the basket of 10 best buy foods,” Harrison stated.

The exclusion of chicken from the list is due to a focus on nonperishable foods that have stable prices and do not require refrigeration. These criteria ensure that the selected foods can be consistently tracked and provided in any home. However, this does not imply that chicken is unimportant or that the chosen foods are the only essentials for feeding a family.

 

The Case for Rate-Reduced Chicken

Providing affordable chicken to the most impoverished communities represents a crucial measure in addressing malnutrition and stunting.

Government intervention is crucial in addressing nutrition-related challenges. Over the years, the South African government has introduced several policies to improve nutrition, such as the National School Nutrition Programme and zero-rating essential food items for Value-Added Tax (VAT). However, more targeted efforts are required.

Removing import tariffs from certain poultry products such as chicken offal and carcasses, the majority of which is consumed by lower LSM communities, could assist in combatting malnutrition and growth stunting. Such a policy would allow the rate-reduced chicken to be distributed specifically within South Africa’s poorest communities.

The proposed removal of VAT from chicken would significantly contribute to furthering the cause.

Balancing the interests of local poultry producers who export their chicken internationally and importers is key to ensuring the affordability and accessibility of chicken in South Africa.

ChickenFacts previously reported that mutually beneficial policies could include tariff adjustments that implement a balanced tariff structure that can protect poultry exporters while allowing cost-effective imports to supplement domestic supply.

 

The Critical Role of Poultry Imports

Poultry imports are essential for ensuring affordable protein availability to South African communities, while also enhancing the economic stability of the agricultural sector and contributing to the broader South African economy.

These imports play a central role in bridging the local supply of chicken, particularly during periods when local production faces shortages.

Imports help stabilise chicken prices by introducing competition and preventing price spikes caused by local supply deficits.

Furthermore, affordable poultry imports provide low-income families with access to high-quality protein, thus mitigating malnutrition and associated health issues.

 

Importance of Healthy Trade Relations

Healthy trade relations are vital for ensuring food security and affordability in South Africa. They impact the availability, quality, and price of food products, including poultry.

Diversifying supply sources allows South Africa to reduce dependency on local supply, thereby enhancing food security.

Collaborating with international suppliers can lead to the adoption of advanced poultry farming techniques, improvements in efficiency, and lower production costs, fostering innovation and resilience within the agricultural sector.

Consistent and healthy trade relations help stabilise food prices by ensuring a steady supply of food products, preventing shortages and price fluctuations.

Strong trade relations also boost economic growth by enhancing the overall productivity of the agricultural sector and creating new job opportunities.

 

Addressing Malnutrition

Addressing South Africa’s malnutrition crisis requires a comprehensive strategy that involves government policy, private-sector collaboration, and investment in food security initiatives. This multi-faceted approach includes:

• Government Policy: Implementing policies that support food security, affordable protein sources, and healthy trade relations.
• Private-Sector Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between local producers and international suppliers to foster innovation and resilience.
• Investment in Food Security Initiatives: Investing in programmes that improve food access, nutrition education, and support for vulnerable communities.

 

Combating malnutrition in South Africa not only enhances the quality of life for impoverished communities but also significantly benefits the overall economy. A well-nourished population is healthier, more productive, and better equipped to contribute to the workforce, leading to increased economic growth and development.

 

Aligning with Global and National Goals

Food security is one of the Global Sustainability Goals (SDGs) that need to be met by 2030 according to South Africa’s own National Development Plan (NDP).

While the NDP discusses agriculture extensively, it appears to underemphasise the critical importance of trade. This aspect requires further attention and inclusion in the policy to ensure comprehensive food security and affordability.

By fostering robust trade relations and adopting a comprehensive collaborative approach, South Africa can effectively address malnutrition, enhance food security, and contribute to overall economic growth and development.