In a concerning development, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has struck South Africa’s poultry industry, resulting in the culling of millions of birds and significant financial losses for major producers.
Quantum Foods, South Africa’s largest egg producer and poultry company, recently confirmed HPAI outbreaks at several of its farms in Gauteng and the North-West province. The outbreak has already affected 1.5 million layer and breeding stock birds. This comes after the culling of 420,000 layer birds at a Western Cape farm in April 2023. Quantum Foods reported estimated losses of approximately US$5.6 million due to the H7N6 HPAI outbreak in its shareholder report.
Astral Foods, South Africa’s largest integrated poultry producer, has also been hit hard by HPAI outbreaks. Since the end of May, the company has incurred losses totaling US$11.7 million. Media reports indicate that this outbreak is likely to result in a shortage of chicken eggs and poultry meat in the country.
These outbreaks are causing concerns among poultry growers and processors, particularly in light of last year’s record-breaking domestic HPAI outbreaks in North America. While the United States has seen increased broiler meat exports to South Africa, high tariffs imposed by South Africa have limited U.S. poultry exports to the country. However, these exports saw a significant increase last year, only to decline again in 2023.
The impact of HPAI on South Africa’s poultry industry highlights the global nature of the challenge posed by avian influenza and underscores the need for continued vigilance and biosecurity measures to prevent its spread.
