View our latest opinions pieces published by SAPA and various industry stakeholders.
Avian influenza remains a threat to South Africa’s poultry industry
Avian influenza remains a threat to South Africa’s poultry industryBy Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA)Make no mistake, avian influenza remains one of the most significant risks facing South African poultry. These outbreaks don't just affect individual farms. The consequences affect food security, jobs, our economy and, most importantly, the nation's access to affordable protein.The avian influenza outbreaks in 2023 demonstrated how severely the disease can disrupt production and place pressure on the broader supply chain. Since then, we have made...
The real duty is making local poultry more accessible and affordable while helping the industry grow
The real duty is making local poultry more accessible and affordable while helping the industry growBy Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of the Broiler Organisation, South African Poultry Association (SAPA)Right now, South Africa’s trade regulator is deciding whether to maintain anti-dumping duties on certain frozen bone-in chicken portions from Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.Introduced in 2015/16 and extended in 2021, these duties exist to protect local poultry producers from unfair global competition. In August, following an application by the South African Poultry Association...
Government’s light hand on Brazilian poultry imports restrictions bodes well
Government’s light hand on Brazilian poultry imports restrictions bodes wellBy Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of the Broiler Organisation of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA)In October, Brazil confirmed Newcastle disease on a turkey farm in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Following the outbreak, some countries have suspended all imports from Brazil, while others have only applied regional restrictions.On 28 October, the Department of Agriculture decided against countrywide restrictions, which was the right move.The Department of Agriculture has restricted imports from areas affected...
Trump tariffs – Francois Article Business Day
The recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump's 30% "reciprocal" tariffs under the IEEPA might seem like good news for South Africa, but the relief is likely temporary. Trump has already rolled out a new 15% global tariff using different legislation, and has signalled that more targeted measures could follow within months using various trade laws that give the president broad authority to penalise countries he views as unfair trading partners. South Africa is in a particularly vulnerable position. Its diplomatic alignment with China, Russia and other US adversaries has drawn...
Farmer’s Weekly: Poultry master plan investments are starting to pay off
South Africa’s broiler industry has improved sharply in global competitiveness, driven by major post-2019 investment and strong efficiency gains — including leading feed-to-meat performance — even while facing load-shedding, drought, and avian flu disruptions. Source: www.farmersweekly.co.za
SAPA CALLS FOR VAT REMOVAL ON CHICKEN TO SUPPORT LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
02 December 2025 MEDIA STATEMENT SAPA CALLS FOR VAT REMOVAL ON CHICKEN TO SUPPORT LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has submitted a formal request to National Treasury to remove the 15% value-added tax (VAT) from chicken, proposing that chicken be added to the list of zero-rated basic foodstuffs in the 2026 National Budget. “This measure would reduce the cost of the country’s most widely consumed protein source and provide direct relief to low-income households facing increasing food insecurity,” says Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of SAPA’s Broiler Organisation. The...
WHEN YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL: SA’s POULTRY SECTOR MASTER PLANSTORY
22 September 2025 MEDIA STATEMENT WHEN YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL: SA’s POULTRY SECTOR MASTER PLAN South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan (the PSMP, signed in November 2019), promised to stabilise an industry hammered by dumped imports. It undertook to grow jobs, broaden black ownership and unlock export markets. Six years on, the rhetoric remains loud, but delivery has been uneven. This is the story of a well-crafted plan, which achieved early gains, but risks being remembered as momentum without movement. The Master Plan was conceived as a public–private compact to rebuild the...
Newzroom Africa – Call for SA government to change its political posture
SOUTH AFRICAN POULTRY INDUSTRY CALLS FOR CLARITY AND URGENT REVOCATION OF U.S. IMPORT QUOTA
30 July 2025 MEDIA STATEMENT SOUTH AFRICAN POULTRY INDUSTRY CALLS FOR CLARITY AND URGENT REVOCATION OF U.S. IMPORT QUOTA The South African poultry industry notes with concern the media release issued by Minister Tau on 29 July 2025, titled “Minister Tau reaffirms South Africa’s commitment to a conclusion on the US trade deal.” In the statement, Minister Tau refers to: “Agricultural Market Access by simplifying of U.S. poultry exports under the 2016 tariff rate quota and unlock approximately $91 million in trade. In addition, readiness to open market access for blueberries subject to...
Growing South Africa’s Poultry Exports Quickly
South Africa’s globally competitive poultry industry has set its sights on accessing new international markets, but what will it take to get the industry export ready? In this article we explore the export requirements, from the new regulatory guidelines to the delays in health certification infrastructure, and how the industry will meet the requirements of the Poultry Master Plan by 2023.