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The Bird Flu outbreak in South Africa has had its impact in neighbouring Lesotho, leading to the closure of the fast-food chain KFC due to the closure of all poultry items imported from South Africa.
The Bird Flu outbreak in South Africa has had its impact in neighbouring Lesotho, leading to the closure of the fast-food chain KFC due to the closure of all poultry items imported from South Africa. Lesotho, the land-locked country encircled by South Africa sources its ingredients from certified farms in South Africa that are rigorously maintained to remain free of bird flu.
South Africa has been struggling to control the spread of bird flu; but in vain. Recently, 20-30% of the birds. In absolute terms, it is reported that more than seven million egg-laying hens were culled, leading to heavy losses to poultry farmers. The bird flu also spread to neighbouring Mozambique. More than 45,000 infected hens that had been imported from South Africa, were culled for fear of Bird Flu.
Poultry and segments connected with it constitute a major income-earning source for farmers and businesses in Southern Africa. The periodic occurrence of Bird Flu has been a major dampener. KFC Lesotho is looking at solutions to the supply chain disruption and has assured its loyal customers that its restaurants will soon be back in operation.
The poultry industry is the largest single contributor to the agricultural sector in South Africa. In 2021, some 16.6 % of the total agricultural gross value and 39.9 % of animal product gross value contributed by the poultry sector. In 2021, South Africa exported US$77.4M in Poultry Meat.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/lesothos-fish-industry-growing-but-miles-to-go/
The main destinations of South Africa exports on Poultry Meat were Lesotho (US D38.9M), Namibia (US D14.9M), Mozambique (US D 10.9M), Botswana (US$3.57M), and Eswatini (USD 3.38M). South Africa also imports poultry items from countries like Brazil, Hungary, the United States etc.
