South Africa: Poultry and Products Annual

FAS Pretoria forecasts a two percent increase in chicken meat production, reaching 1.68 million tons in Marketing Year (MY) 2026 (January to December 2026). This growth is driven by lower feed prices following the recovery of the local grains harvest in MY 2025/2026. FAS Pretoria estimates a four percent rise in chicken meat production for MY 2025, reflecting full recovery from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak that severely impacted the industry in 2023. FAS Pretoria forecasts that chicken meat consumption will increase marginally to 1.92 million tons in 2026, driven by higher supplies that are expected to ease prices. FAS Pretoria forecasts that South Africa's poultry imports will decrease by five percent to 308,000 tons in 2026, driven by protectionist policies including anti-dumping duties and high tariffs that limit the competitiveness and market access of imported poultry.