ZIMBABWE – Poultry feed production in Zimbabwe fell 19% in quantity to an average of 29, 897 tonnes (t) per month in the fourth quarter of 2019, but increased in terms of value by 413% to ZWL$182.8 million (US$0.505m)
According to Zimbabwe Poultry Association chairman Solomon Zawe, poultry feeds continued to dominate the stock feed industry, accounting for 62% of all feeds produced by weight and 64% by monetary value.
The production of broiler and layers feeds were 27% and 5% lower, respectively, than Q4 of 2018. While production of poultry concentrates was 19% lower than Q4 of 2018, and 12% lower than third quarter of 2019
On average, Zawe said prices of raw materials procured in Q4 increased by 179%.
Notable increases were full-fat soya (274%), high CP cotton meal (314%) and roughages (wheat bran (377%), maize bran (337%), screenings (490%) and hay (298%).
“In contrast, fourth quarter prices of feeds on average, increased by 59% compared to third quarter prices. Average weighted wholesale price of broiler and layer feeds rose by 23% and 39%, respectively, to ZWL$5, 961 and ZWL$5 530/mt,” Zawe indicated.
However, in United States dollar terms (relative to the interbank rate), prices of broiler and layer feeds in December were US$430 and US$383, respectively, being 33% and 22% down on prices in early 2017.
Total growing and in-production layer breeder stocks averaged 46 692 birds per month in Q4 of 2019, a decrease of 34% compared with the same period in 2018.
Production of layer hatching eggs in the fourth quarter averaged 0.7 million eggs per month, a decrease of 19%.
Sexed pullet (layer day-old chicks) production averaged 175, 940 per month in the period under review, being an increase of 4% over the same period in 2018, but a reduction of 31% compared with third quarter of 2019.
The average price of sexed pullets rose 42% and peaked at ZWL$12,75 per pullet in December.
However, in US dollar terms, average sexed pullet prices in December were 77c, 35% down on prices in early 2017.
