South Africa Emerges as Global Poultry Powerhouse Despite Major Challenges

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 4:30 AM

Despite facing significant obstacles including disease outbreaks, drought, and rising costs, South Africa's chicken industry has maintained remarkable global competitiveness. A new international study suggests the country may rank as the world's second most efficient poultry producer.

A surprising new international study suggests South Africa may hold the number two spot among the world’s most competitive chicken producers, despite weathering a perfect storm of industry challenges over recent years.

The nation’s poultry sector has endured a barrage of difficulties including illegal dumping practices, severe drought conditions, skyrocketing feed expenses, power supply issues, and devastating bird flu outbreaks. Yet somehow, the industry has managed to maintain both its resilience and technical excellence on the global stage.

These findings come from the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s 2025 Competitiveness Benchmark Report, a comprehensive analysis developed alongside researchers from Wagenen University in the Netherlands. The report examined how South Africa’s chicken industry has managed to stay both globally competitive and operationally efficient despite facing such significant headwinds.

The study’s preliminary findings highlight the remarkable adaptability of South Africa’s poultry operations in the face of mounting pressures that have challenged producers worldwide.

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