SA food supply chain facing 'multiple crises'
A food distributor says the
tariff reprieve on frozen chicken imports
will bring some much-needed relief to
consumers.
The local poultry industry was last year hit by the avian flu outbreak, which affected a variety of chicken products and prices.
Last week, the International Trade Administration Commission announced import tax decreases of 30% and 25% for boneless and bone-in cuts, respectively.
Several importers had complained that chicken products had become unaffordable.
Roy Thomas, who's with Hume International, has lauded the move but says there are other challenges threatening food security.
"The reality is that South Africa's food supply chain is facing multiple crises that threaten shoppers and the economy at large, amongst which load shedding continues to cast a dark shadow on businesses, impacting cold stores and creating challenges for food importers.
"Major players in the industry have gone to great lengths to ensure the stability of frozen products.
READ: SA in talks with other countries for fair poultry trade, says Ramaphosa
"While water shortages in the Eastern Cape, driven by drought and poor infrastructure as well as ongoing delays and backlogs at port covered by global shipping disruptions due to the conflict in the Red Sea further contributed to industry struggles.
"Over and above this as a spectre of crisis looms the collective effort is essential to address these pressing issues and prevent cupboards from running bare."
