Plan B for chicken and egg shortage in South Africa: report
Restaurants are turning to protein replacements, alternatives and substitutions on their menus amid an ongoing chicken and egg shortage – while producers turn to imports to boost supplies.
South Africa is currently experiencing a shortage of poultry and eggs due to an outbreak of the H7 bird flu, resulting in producers culling large percentages of their birds. On top of the massive impact of load shedding this year, producers have suffered staggering losses.
More than 7 million birds have been culled in the local poultry industry this year since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
As a result, these companies are now scrambling to find alternative stock – looking to imports and other production changes – leaving consumers and restaurants to deal with limited supply and rising prices. In some cases, prices for eggs have more than doubled, and stocks have been rationed.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, restaurant chains said the shortages have resulted in food baskets changing, with consumers turning to other proteins to make up for the loss of eggs and chicken.
They said that some menu items that use or contain eggs are currently being reworked or revised amid the shortage – while others will provide patrons with an alternative meat source.
The City Press reports that the situation for producers is also looking bleak.
While previous estimations were that the shortage would last all through October before being alleviated through imports, producers have now indicated that the shortage would extend through December.
Along with this, there are now warnings that prices could escalate further as the shortage sets in.
One of the key remedies to the situation will be imports, but this is highly dependent on the price point and the government’s policies on anti-dumping, which prevent cheaper meat from being brought in by raising duties on cuts that are below ‘fair’ market value.
A suspension on anti-dumping tariffs for chicken ended in August, which came with its own warnings about higher shelf prices. A new rebate on these tariffs is being considered to encourage imports to alleviate the current shortages.
However, local producers have not been keen on this despite the pressures they currently face. They have argued that local groups can meet demand through imports – it will just take time.
In a media statement, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) said it was working with the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders in the industry to address the shortages.
“Shortages of eggs may be experienced, but SAPA is monitoring the situation closely and will continue engaging with the Department of Agriculture, land reform, rural development, and other relevant stakeholders for regular updates,” it said.
Loading ...