Brazil, the global poultry leader, sees a 28% surge in exports, with South Africa facing decisions on imports as bird flu concerns grow. Izaak Breitenbach emphasises potential bans, while ABPA president Ricardo Santin lauds Brazil’s record-breaking chicken export year
Brazilian poultry exports soar; SA weighs risks amid bird flu threat. SAPA CEO Izaak Breitenbach warns of potential bans on Brazilian poultry imports if bird flu strikes, emphasising the critical role of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) in South Africa’s imports and the ongoing debate over heat treatment protocols. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
Brazil, the world’s top poultry exporter, is poised to demonstrate increased export volumes in 2023, with statistics up to November of the previous year indicating a 5.6% growth in poultry exports. The primary destination for Brazilian chicken in 2023 was China, followed closely by South Africa, which showed the second-largest increase in poultry imports from Brazil.
According to WattPoultry, over the January to November period, Brazil experienced a 28% year-on-year increase in poultry exports, amounting to over 632 000 metric tonnes. Notable increases in chicken imports were observed in South Africa (309 000mt; +21%) and Mexico (173 000mt; +28%).
By November, Brazil had earned $9 billion from its poultry sales of 4.68 million tonnes, with expectations of the year-end total surpassing 5 million tonnes. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of bird flu on Brazil’s commercial poultry industry and its implications for South African imports. Brazil supplies a staggering 90% of all poultry imports into the country, making the issue of avian influenza a critical consideration for trade between the two nations.
The latest Poultry Bulletin, the official journal of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), highlighted three potential courses of action in the event of a bird flu outbreak in Brazil. These options include a complete ban on all Brazilian poultry imports, a targeted ban only on affected areas, or allowing imports with specific conditions, such as heat treatment either before or after entry into South Africa. Source: Brazilian poultry exports soar; SA weighs risks amid bird flu threat – Food For Mzansi