Merlog Foods has acknowledged the Department of Agriculture’s decision to partially ease restrictions on poultry imports from Brazil—a move viewed as a critical step in addressing South Africa’s growing food security concerns.
Starting June 19, poultry products from Brazil will once again be allowed into the country, with the exception of shipments from Rio Grande do Sul, a region affected by a recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The import suspension had significantly impacted food availability nationwide, contributing to widespread shortages and placing vulnerable communities at even greater risk.
South Africa has been losing over 100 million meals each week due to the ban, underscoring the urgent need for action. Data from Stats SA indicates that food insecurity affects nearly one in three households in some provinces, amplifying the pressure on government and industry to secure reliable food sources.
Brazil plays a central role in South Africa’s protein supply chain, particularly through its provision of mechanically deboned meat (MDM), which makes up around 95% of the country’s total MDM imports. This ingredient is essential in producing affordable processed meats such as viennas, polony, and sausages—staples for many families and key components in national school feeding programs.
Given the absence of viable alternative suppliers for MDM, the partial resumption of imports from Brazil is expected to stabilize local production of cost-effective protein products. This change is seen as not only crucial for consumers but also for maintaining employment within the poultry and meat processing industries, which support around 30,000 jobs.
Collaboration between South African and Brazilian authorities to implement a regionalisation protocol helped pave the way for the revised import policy. This approach allows for targeted restrictions based on specific outbreak zones, rather than applying a blanket ban on the entire country—a strategy that better aligns with both biosecurity concerns and urgent public needs.
While the policy shift has been welcomed, it also highlights the importance of quicker response times in future crises. Ensuring food security, especially in low-income communities, depends on the ability to act swiftly and decisively when disruptions arise.
The poultry sector now looks ahead to a more stable period, hoping that updated health protocols will facilitate a consistent and safe trade flow, preventing further setbacks in the national food supply.
