Counting the cost of the highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak on country

Zimbini Mdlulwa, director of Agricultural Economic Services at the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, looks at the socio-economic impact of the bird flu outbreak sweeping the poultry industry across the country.

- Zimbini Mdlulwa

Globally, the poultry industry is still recovering from the reduced demand from traditional markets following the COVID-19 lockdowns including the subsequent pressure from increased feed costs. The enforced lockdowns across the world affected global trade disrupting feeding ingredients severely and inflating prices of both maize and soya beans.

Avian influenza is now stalling the recovery of the industry and continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing poultry producers in 2021 to 2022. (Figure 1). Avian flu is a highly contagious viral disease that affects several species of food-producing birds, pet birds and wild birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains may cause severe clinical signs and potentially high mortality rates among poultry.

Compounding these effects is the recurring Russia- Ukraine war that started last year.

FOOD INSECURITY

This war was reported to have also resulted in high feed prices due to disruptions in global grains and oilseed markets, including increases in fuel, agrochemicals and fertiliser costs. All these factors have amplified concerns about food insecurity in developing countries.

In addition, the South African poultry industry has battled other difficulties in recent years.

These include the unrest that flared in KwaZuluNatal and Gauteng in July 2021, with consequences of damaged and destroyed infrastructure reported to have resulted in losses of millions of rand.

The unrest resulted in cancellation of orders, and accounts could not being paid by some customers, and this affected several egg producers (SAPA, 2021).