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IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Merlog Foods warns SA poultry supply crisis could worsen despite lifted import ban
Merlog Foods, one of South Africa's largest importers of chicken and chilled meats, said they still expect a shortage of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) despite the department of Agriculture (DOA) completely lifting a ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from Brazil due to an Avian Flu outbreak earlier this week Image: Supplied Merlog Foods has voiced concerns over a lingering shortage of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) despite the Department of Agriculture (DoA) lifting an eight-week ban on poultry imports from Brazil due to an Avian Flu outbreak earlier this week. The ban, triggered by a case of bird flu on a single farm in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, had cut off 95% of South Africa's MDM supply from 15 May Merlog Foods manager, Georg Southey said it was expected to take a few months for supply and prices of the input material for polony and sausages to stabilise. 'We, however, believe this situation can reoccur in the case of another bird flu infection in Brazil,' he said. 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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'Regionalisation is a scientific protocol supported by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and an agreement on this between the two countries is imperative. The DoA must urgently engage with Brazil to agree on a regionalisation protocol to prevent a full country ban in the instance of a future infection of bird flu in Brazil,' he said. 'This would be similar to a temporary year-long agreement with the US that allows individual states within America to self-declare when they are free of bird flu and continue exporting to South Africa.' Southey added that the ban on MDM and items such as chicken livers from Brazil has amplified South Africa's food security crisis, with an estimated 100 million meals lost for every week of the eight weeks that shipments stalled. 'Prices of MDM have already jumped 140%, and shortages are affecting millions of meals, which is putting pressure on school feeding programmes and food processors. The knock-on effects include rising food inflation, job losses in the food processing value chain, and increased fears regarding food security and nutrition. Brazilian suppliers stopped doing sample tests as they were unsure when trade would resume and must now conduct these tests.' Merlog Foods expects that imports will resume in the week of 14 July. However, Southey said with 6 000 tonnes per week typically required, and buffer stocks now exhausted, the effects of the shortage will be felt for months. '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,' Southey said. 'Consumers can expect higher prices on polony and Viennas until October, with normal supply and pricing only expected to stabilise by November 2025. Merlog Foods is relieved that there has been an agreement in solving the immediate crisis.' Gordon Nicoll, chairperson of South African Meat Processors Association, said they were relieved that the deadlock between South Africa and Brazil has been broken. 'Our members were starting to run out of stock of MDM which meant that shoppers and consumers were about to be confronted by a lack of Viennas, Polony, Russians, braai wors, on the shelves,' Nicoll said. 'Meat processors were facing widescale layoffs as factories, for almost two months, have been unable to import MDM due to the ban on poultry and poultry products from Brazil.' Nicoll added that they will still not receive imports of MDM for around five weeks – so towards the middle/end of August – which means the situation was still precipitous. 'The fact that we now have some certainty as to when we will receive new stock makes it easier to plan and allocate resources. We would still, however, encourage the government to work on a permanent solution for when we do encounter this situation again.' BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
15-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
South Africa launches mass vaccination programme for poultry against avian influenza
The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and agriculture associations have welcomed the department of Agriculture's decision to roll out the first ever mass vaccination of poultry in the country in order to protect the local flock from avian influenza. Image: File The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and agriculture associations have welcomed the department of Agriculture's decision to roll out the first ever mass vaccination of poultry in the country in order to protect the local flock from avian influenza. SAPA also confirmed that despite concerns about a salmonella outbreak in the United States, eggs in South Africa remain safe to consume. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen last week said that their vaccination team, comprised of poultry specialist vets from the University of Pretoria, along with the Agricultural Research Council, has received a list of farms to be vaccinated from the poultry industry and is prioritising high-risk areas and commercial flocks to contain the virus and prevent further culling. 'We have secured vaccine supply, ensured cold chain capacity, and are building in traceability and reporting mechanisms as part of a wider preparedness strategy.' In a statement, SAPA said that they were pleased that Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production, Biosecurity, and Natural Resources Management, Dipepeneneng Serage, confirmed at the AVI Africa conference that the government will proceed with the vaccination strategy against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Serage highlighted the department's commitment to ensuring that farming can continue safely and sustainably. 'My job is to bring science and legislation together and allow farmers to farm without risking anyone's health, while positioning South Africa as a net exporter of food.' 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. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ SAPA said that the government's HPAI vaccination strategy is a controlled, science-based approach that will focus on four key pillars: Controlled Use of Vaccines – Only vaccines registered in South Africa will be used. Sales and distribution will be strictly controlled, and farmers must register and comply with biosecurity and surveillance protocols. Biosecurity – Enhanced on-farm practices will remain critical to preventing disease spread. Traceability – All vaccinated flocks must be trackable to maintain export integrity and health transparency. Surveillance – Ongoing monitoring will ensure early detection and effective management of any outbreaks. Serage said that South Africa is ready to begin vaccinations immediately. 'Three H5 vaccines have been officially registered for use, with an H7 vaccine currently under development. One farm is already under evaluation for compliance and may be the first to begin vaccinations under the new framework. 'We have the data, we know which farms we're starting with — now we have to start.' SAPA said that this move represents a major step forward for biosecurity in South Africa's poultry industry and signals the government's determination to protect both public health and the country's agricultural economy. Francois Rossouw, the CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said that vaccination is a big deal for the poultry industry. 'It can really help cut down on outbreaks, which means less stress and losses for farmers. This is a great way to keep the virus in check, especially in areas where it's a big risk. It'll help protect both big farms and smaller ones.' Rossouw added that by reducing HPAI cases, we can keep production steady and make sure there's enough supply. 'That's key for food security and farmers' livelihoods. I know there are trade concerns with vaccination, but it's all about finding a balance. We need to keep our birds healthy while also chatting with our trade partners about it. It's crucial that vaccination comes with good monitoring and biosecurity measures. We want to make sure everything's managed well. This vaccination move should be part of a bigger strategy to handle avian flu. Ongoing research and teamwork with everyone involved will be super important.' In a separate statement, Dr. Abongile Balarane, CEO: South African Poultry Association (Egg Organisation), said that they take note of the circulating social media posts on Salmonella cases in California in the United States of America. 'We confirm that there are no current Salmonella cases in South Africa that have caused people to be hospitalised. We further confirm that there are currently no confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird flu) in poultry in South Africa. It is therefore safe to consume eggs and poultry meat.' Balarane added that any cases of Salmonella and Avian influenza in South Africa will be officially reported by the National Department of Health together with the National Department of Agriculture. 'To our knowledge, there are no present Salmonella and Avian influenza cases that have spread to humans in South Africa.
