South Africa’s poultry industry has staged a strong recovery, with investment in the sector surpassing R2.1 billion between 2019 and 2025 as producers expand operations, improve competitiveness and reduce reliance on imports.
The rebound was highlighted during the first Economic Oversight Committee meeting between government and industry stakeholders reviewing progress under the Poultry Masterplan.
The masterplan, launched in 2019, was introduced to revive a sector that had been struggling under pressure from cheap poultry imports. Before its implementation, local producers faced declining production and investment as imported products flooded the market.
According to the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), collaboration between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Department of Agriculture and industry players has helped reverse the decline and restore confidence in the industry.
One of the major achievements under the recovery programme has been the establishment of 32 poultry projects, each averaging around R45 million in investment. Together, the projects are valued at more than R1 billion and reportedly achieved a 100% success rate. Among the largest developments is the KC Hatchery project, which represents an investment of more than R135 million.
The sector has also expanded infrastructure capacity through the construction of three hatcheries and about eight egg-laying facilities. SAPA said 20 broiler contract farmers had additionally been supported as part of efforts to improve participation across the poultry value chain.
Industry production has risen sharply during the period. Weekly slaughter numbers increased by 26%, climbing from 19.7 million birds in 2019 to 23 million birds in 2025. SAPA said import replacement measures were beginning to help local producers regain market share while improving operational efficiencies.
Despite the progress, the industry continues to face significant challenges, including high feed costs, unreliable electricity supply, poor road infrastructure and port inefficiencies. Producers also had to contend with the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 2023, which disrupted operations across the sector.
Even with those pressures, poultry remains South Africa’s largest agricultural industry, valued at R74 billion and supporting more than 110,000 jobs across the value chain. The industry contributes 19.1% of the country’s total agricultural gross value and 44.4% of animal products’ gross value. Chicken meat exports, including fresh, frozen and processed products, grew by 9% between 2019 and 2025.
SAPA chief executive Izaak Breitenbach said the sector had reached a major turning point.
“The poultry industry is no longer in distress. It is a globally competitive, growing sector that continues to deliver affordable protein to South African consumers,” Breitenbach said.
A 2025 study by Wageningen University found that South Africa’s poultry industry is now among the most competitive globally. The report showed the country produces chicken more cheaply than the European Union and the United States, with only Brazil producing at a lower cost.
SAPA also noted that South Africa currently has the world’s lowest feed conversion ratio, allowing producers to convert feed into meat more efficiently than competitors, strengthening the industry’s affordability and competitiveness.
