South Africa’s imports of chicken from Brazil increased sharply in the first half of 2026, intensifying concerns among domestic poultry producers about competition, import pricing and the long-term sustainability of the local industry. The increase comes as South African authorities maintain access for Brazilian poultry products despite a fresh Newcastle disease outbreak in the South American country.
Data from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), show that South Africa imported 185,347 tonnes of Brazilian chicken meat between January and June 2026, representing a 38.35% increase compared with the corresponding period in 2025. The volume placed South Africa among Brazil’s six largest chicken export destinations during the period and made it the only African country in Brazil’s top ten markets.
The trade relationship was already substantial in 2025, when South Africa imported 336,022 tonnes of Brazilian chicken meat, equivalent to approximately 6.5% of Brazil’s total chicken exports. This made South Africa the fourth-largest destination for Brazilian chicken that year.
The growing dependence on imported poultry reflects the importance of international supplies in meeting South Africa’s demand for affordable protein. However, it has also sharpened the debate over whether local producers can compete effectively against Brazil’s large-scale poultry industry, which benefits from an extensive production base and established export infrastructure.
The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has raised questions about the prices at which some imported chicken consignments are being declared to customs authorities. In September 2026, the association asked the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to investigate discrepancies identified in first-half import data, particularly involving shipments from Brazil and Argentina.
SAPA questioned why some Brazilian leg-quarter consignments were reportedly declared at substantially lower prices than the association considered typical market levels. It also identified variations in declared prices for mechanically deboned meat.
The association argued that the discrepancies warranted scrutiny to establish whether importers were correctly declaring shipment values and paying the applicable duties. However, the concerns remain allegations requiring investigation.
The debate has also extended to South Africa’s trade protection measures. Importers have argued that tariffs and anti-dumping duties increase the cost of chicken for consumers, while domestic producers maintain that stronger protection is necessary to defend local investment, employment and production capacity.
The latest development came after Brazil notified South Africa on 20 October of a Newcastle disease outbreak in Santa Catarina state. Rather than impose a nationwide suspension, South African authorities decided to continue accepting eligible Brazilian poultry products under strict veterinary conditions.
According to reporting by The Citizen, fresh poultry meat must originate from premises without Newcastle disease cases during the preceding six months, while hatching eggs and day-old chicks face a 12-month disease-free requirement. Additional restrictions apply to facilities located within infected areas.
The decision demonstrates the importance of regionalised disease controls in maintaining agricultural trade while managing biosecurity risks. Newcastle disease should also be distinguished from avian influenza, which has been a separate concern in international poultry markets.
Despite the surge in Brazilian shipments, the United States Department of Agriculture's September 2026 outlook projects that South Africa’s overall poultry imports will decline by 2% in 2026 and a further 4% in 2027, to approximately 280,000 tonnes in 2027. The forecast reflects expectations of improved domestic production, supported partly by lower feed costs following a better local grain harvest.
NBF Insight
South Africa’s poultry market illustrates a difficult balance facing many African food systems: securing affordable food supplies while building competitive domestic agricultural industries. Brazilian imports help fill supply gaps and support consumer access to relatively affordable chicken, but sustained import pressure can challenge local producers, investment and employment.
The issue is not just whether South Africa should import more or less chicken. It is whether the country can strengthen domestic productivity, improve feed efficiency, enforce fair customs valuation and maintain effective disease surveillance without making poultry expensive for consumers. For African countries seeking to reduce food import dependence, that balance will remain central to the future of their poultry industries.
