Poultry farmers in Zambia are looking to Saudi Arabia and other markets in Sub Saharan Africa besides local and regional neighbors to sell day-old, hatching eggs and other related products for increased business and profitability despite the local currency appreciation.
The farmers boast of the local market being satisfied with the excess day old chicks, eggs and other related products supplied weekly.
The sector players seek to venture into Saudi Arabia and other markets on the continent where there have been inquiries, Donald Chanda, the Poultry Association of Zambia is cited by local media.
Poultry products, eggs, day old chicks and other chicken-related products are being exported and consumed in East Africa and Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC and Namibia among other regional markets. There is increased inquiry for the Zambian poultry products in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the flourishing poultry market, challenges among others appreciating local currency and feeds for day old chicks, hatching eggs, chicken, like maize, soya, among other products are affecting the sector growth and there is urgent need for redress.
Recently Ministers, Minister Makozo Chikote for fisheries and livestock and agriculture’s Reuben Mtolo announced the lifting of the export waiver of various agriculture products including livestock after the COVID 19 decimated which affected movement of goods because of closed borders and other health formalities.
Players in the two sectors are urged to take advantage of the Government’s ‘open border’ policy’ to exploit the various markets in the region and beyond to sell their various products and help market the country and generate foreign exchange.
Officiating at the Poultry Association of Zambia in Lusaka recently, Minister Chikote, regretted the cost of doing so after the unilateral restrictions were imposed on export of various agriculture.
He assured poultry farmers of the Government’s support. Zambia’s economic revival plans hinge on expanded markets efforts are being made to encourage exports be it poultry or any poultry products to bolster the economy growth.
Minister Chikote, in a statement, appreciates the contributions to the economy rendered by the Poultry and other growth sectors in the country and is cognizant of their challenges arising from export restrictions especially on day-old chicks, and feedstock which hampered growth.
The government is keenly supporting the poultry and other sectors to ensure all bottlenecks taking measures to address some bottlenecks affecting the poultry industry.
He encouraged the poultry sector to engage the government on all issues affecting them to help find lasting solutions.
At the same occasion-Zambia’s largest farming group-ZNFU leader Jervis Zimba appealed to the government to protect the poultry industry through consistent policies and allow the private sector to make returns on their business.
PAZ Board Chairperson Veronica Machungwa in a statement reiterated the sector’s concerns with a call for urgent and amicable resolve to impending challenges affecting the growth of the poultry industry.
In recent years, players in the various growth sectors have complained about the Government’s inconsistent export policy restrictions especially on agriculture related products.
There are claims that the products earmarked for exports should be allowed to remain competitive and fetch an average US$260/ton.
