Brazilian chicken ban lifted but delays and high prices threaten food security
A ban on all poultry imports from Brazil was instituted some two months ago after an outbreak of avian influenza, which affected supply of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) and chicken. MDM is the raw ingredients for polony and viennas and can now be shipped into South Africa again, after an eight-week suspension.
Chicken Facts noted in a January press release that 'local production of MDM is insufficient to meet domestic demand. As a result, importing MDM is crucial for the South African consumer, as it provides an affordable protein option for millions of lower-income consumers.'
In a statement, Merlog Foods manager Georg Southey welcomed the lifting of the ban, but warned that buffer stocks have been exhausted and the 'effects of the shortage will be felt for months'. In a statement he added that, 'with ships at sea for 28 days or more, it will take at least six to eight weeks to ramp up production, restore shipping schedules, and replenish supply chains'.
Poultry imports are essential in the poultry industry value chain, providing not only food security in times of short supply but also keeping local poultry pricing in check, Chicken Facts noted.
Yet, Southey said that prices are likely to remain elevated as Brazilian exporters try to capitalise on the gap. Consumers can expect higher prices on polony and viennas until October, with normal supply and pricing only expected to stabilise by November 2025.
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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Amending the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance to define and protect matrimonial property would help courts provide more consistent, fair outcomes. It would also signal that Pakistan is serious about its commitments to gender equality, both to its citizens and the global community. For South Africans, watching this debate unfold is a chance to reflect on how far we have come and how far others still need to go. In a world where women's rights are constantly under pressure, the battle for fairness within the family is as important as any public policy reform. Pakistan stands at a fork in the road. One path leads to continued injustice and economic hardship for women. The other leads to fairness, dignity and the recognition of women's work — paid or unpaid—as valuable and deserving of protection. The choice, now, is in the hands of lawmakers.


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