Poultry industry survives despite challenging 2020

Poultry industry survives despite challenging 2020 STAFF REPORTER



WINDHOEK

The Covid-19 restrictions introduced last year caused egg purchases to fall; however, the sale of chicken performed well due to limited supply of beef, venison and mutton.

Despite a challenging year, the chairman of the Poultry Producers Association (PPA) of Namibia, Rene Werner, expressed satisfaction with the 15 new members who joined the association in 2020.

He warmly welcomed these members, who are mainly emerging producers, at the association’s last member’s meeting. Agribank provided financial support to the PPA to host a one-day annual meeting and information day for its members recently. The event aimed at bringing key industry role players together to review the performance of the sector, and the challenges faced the previous year. The event also set an agenda for the year.

The association believes that primary production is the key to value chain growth.

Egg purchases soar, then fall

According to the Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU), last year had a normal start for the Namibian egg and broiler industry, but the pandemic turned everything around.

“Due to the panic purchases of the public within the first two weeks of the coronavirus restrictions, the demand was initially very high.”

The NAU said after that, a new normal was introduced.

“The restrictions on the tourism industry caused egg purchases to fall. Prices had to be adjusted downwards to push the surplus eggs into the informal market.”

However, the NAU said due to high red meat prices, the need for cheaper protein increased towards the end of the year, with simultaneous increase in demand.

Biggest challenges

The union added that the biggest challenges for the Namibian poultry industry are high feed prices and imports from international poultry giants.

“Despite last year's challenges, producers survived. The agricultural environment will always have its trials, but everyone will continue to adapt and initiate to respond to the ever-changing environment,” it said.