SOUTH AFRICA – Fresh whole birds that are homegrown — that’s the promise from Nando’s SA‚ which on Wednesday turned up its nose at American imports.
“Nando’s is proudly South African. The American poultry that has landed in SA does not find its way into your Nando’s meal‚” said Geoff Whyte‚ CEO of Nando’s SA‚ in a statement.
His comments came after a radio report quoting Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies‚ as saying Nando’s makes use of imported American chicken.
“We’d like to set the record straight‚” Whyte said.
He said the company uses only used fresh‚ whole chickens. American chickens come to SA frozen.
The chicken at Nando’s are grilled as fresh as possible. “This cannot happen with imported chicken‚” he said.
Whyte made this commitment to customers: “Nando’s will always serve only South African chicken.”
On Tuesday, Davies briefed the American Chamber of Commerce in Johannesburg on plans to ensure that SA remains a competitive business destination.
“There are going to be black-owned companies that will be responsible for the import of the US chicken‚ at least 15% of it‚” Davies said.
He declined to reveal which retailers are selling the US chicken in the country.
“You can go to any store and you’ll see it is labelled ‘US product’. I don’t know where it is‚ but I can assure you that is has arrived‚” said Davies.
In March‚ US chicken imports were allowed into the country after a protracted trade ban came to an end following a standoff that could have seen SA losing out on trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act – TMG Digital
May 18, 2016; http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/retail/2016/05/18/nandos-opts-for-homegrown-chicks-over-us-imports
