South Africa extends ban on Brazilian poultry imports due to Newcastle disease outbreak

SOUTH AFRICA-  South Africa has extended its ban on poultry imports from Brazil’s Rio do Sul province, following an outbreak of Newcastle disease, a highly infectious viral infection that targets birds. 

The decision, announced by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), is aimed at protecting the local poultry sector from potential contamination and preventing the spread of the virus within South Africa. 

This move is part of broader efforts to safeguard the domestic poultry industry, which plays a crucial role in both the country’s economy and food security.

Newcastle disease is known for its devastating effects on birds, causing severe respiratory and neurological symptoms that can often be fatal. 

The virus spreads easily through direct contact with infected birds, as well as through contaminated feed, equipment, and even the air. 

While the disease poses little risk to humans, its impact on the poultry industry can be severe, with outbreaks often leading to mass culling of birds and major disruptions in supply chains. 

These consequences can inflict heavy financial losses on farmers and lead to potential poultry shortages. 

In light of these risks, DALRRD’s decision is seen as a necessary measure to prevent a crisis within the country’s poultry industry.

The Newcastle disease outbreak in Rio do Sul, one of Brazil’s primary poultry production regions, was first reported by Brazilian authorities in July. 

The news caused concern both in Brazil and in countries that import poultry from the region. Brazil, the world’s largest poultry producer and exporter, has been a key supplier of poultry products to South Africa, which relies on these imports to meet local demand. 

At the same time, South Africa’s poultry sector is experiencing other significant developments. 

The Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) has ramped up its push for specific meat products to be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT) in response to discussions surrounding food affordability. 

This aligns with ongoing efforts by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), who have been advocating for zero VAT on individually quick frozen (IQF) chicken portions to alleviate costs for consumers.

In a separate development, Namibia recently llifted its ban on live poultry imports from South Africa, which had been in place since September 2023 due to an outbreak of avian influenza. 

Namibia, which imports around 2,500 metric tons of chicken per month, was forced to increase local production, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, to cope with the disruption. 

In 2022, South Africa’s poultry production remained the largest of all livestock sectors, with over 170 million chickens produced that year. 

Turkey production also played a minor role, with 536,000 turkeys produced during the same period.