The Poultry Associations in the SADC region convened in South Africa to among other things review the poultry industry progress across different countries. The countries present at this important forum included Zambia, ESwatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Mozambique and the host south Africa. This is a bi-annual forum convened specifically to look at common challenges and discussions to unlock the regional poultry growth. This year preceded the AVI Africa 2023, an exhibition event aimed at displaying the latest technology in poultry industry, with a global touch in terms of exhibition. A number of Zambia companies attended the Avi Africa 2023.
Key issues from the Poultry Liaison Forum included the need to common approach to curb the imports taking up the regional potential and the need to enhance the regional trade. Further the meeting also looked at the supply of raw materials such as soybeans and maize as these are key inputs in the stockfeed industry. Generally, it was highlighted that there were a number of impediments hindering Intra SADC poultry trade which needed to be unlocked. For the regional imports which is affecting a number of countries, it was highlighted that there is need to start utilizing trade remedies such as sunset closes in the trade agreements to ensure that imports are not dampening the regional potential. The next meeting is scheduled for November 2023
