Despite the bird flu (avian influenza) outbreak posing significant risks to South Africa’s poultry industry and consumers, Dr Mahlogedi Thindisa, an agricultural economist and agripreneur, shares in this analysis that this crisis comes with several opportunities for South Africa.
The reported outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has created material risk and uncertainty in the market. Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu” is an infection usually of domestic and wild birds.
Avian influenza is classified as the group of “influenza A viruses” that are categorised as (i) low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A viruses, and (ii) highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A viruses. Both HPAI and LPAI viruses can spread rapidly through poultry flocks.
Avian influenza is not a zoonotic disease. It cannot be transmitted to humans. There are nine known subtypes of A(H5) and A(H7) viruses with most identified in wild birds. HPAI is rarely reported in poultry as compared to LPAI. There are two proteins found on the virus (i) haemagglutinin (H) and, (ii) neuraminidase (N).
Containing the spread
These proteins are used to classify the subtype of the virus. The HPAI H5N1 and H7N6 virus strains have been reported as circulating in South Africa as of the year 2023. The HPAI is a notifiable disease in the Republic. Farmers must notify the state veterinarian when the disease is suspected. The farm is subsequently quarantined.
Upon confirmation of HPAI disease, the farm is quarantined in addition to enhanced surveillance, biosecurity, movement control and traceability. Such activities are geared to prevent, reduce, and eliminate the infection and spread of the disease via personnel, vehicles, feed, chickens, eggs, and other materials.
Impact on SA consumer
On the economic front, eggs are the fourth largest animal production industry in South Africa in terms of annual gross turnover after poultry meat, beef, and milk. Eggs are considered an affordable source of protein and an integral ingredient in many dishes globally. It is advisable to cook eggs prior to consumption.
According to the Abstract Report by the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development (DALRRD, 2022) South Africa produces 562 000 tons of eggs per year. In contrast, consumption is recorded at just over 500 000 tons per year. Albeit per capita consumption is at 8.67kg per year.
Hence, South Africa is a net exporter of eggs. In the year 2022, Mozambique was the main export destination followed by Eswatini. A couple of factors influence the domestic demand for eggs. The main significant drivers are disposable income and population growth. Other factors such as changing lifestyles, improvement in production systems, and animal welfare are likely to influence demand.
The anticipated disruption of the supply chain for eggs entails poor households are likely to switch to a more starch-rich diet due to the unaffordability of eggs and declining disposable income.
Turbo-charge implementation of master plan
In terms of poultry meat, South Africa consumes more poultry meat than it produces. The Abstract Report by the DALRRD (2022) depicts that consumption of poultry meat was recorded as 2.195 million tons juxtaposing production of 1.976 million tons. Imports close the demand gap. Consistent with the theory of equilibrium in economics, the adverse impact of the HPAI would exacerbate the supply-demand imbalance.
The devastating impact of HPAI underscores the urgent need to turbo-charge implementation of the master plan.
The Poultry Master Plan (PMP) articulates the following challenges that limit the latent potential of the industry (i) cost of feed that makes up over 70% of the cost of production. Maize and soya are key feed ingredients, albeit priced internationally.
Chicken is maize value-added (ii) Segmenting production in terms of balancing the carcass. White meat is sold at premium processes whilst bone-in meat is exported to South Africa at lower prices. (iii) Inability to export to premium markets such as Europe due to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements. (iv) Transformation in terms of ownership and control of the value chain.
Transformation lies firmly at the heart of a normative and functional society. Agribusinesses and retailers exist and operate in a social environment that does not encourage isolation of the entity from society. The financial requirement of agribusiness should be intertwined with the social-economic imperatives of the society.
There are opportunities
Assertions by Sir Winston Churchill to “never let crises go to waste” are relevant to date. First, the bird flu crisis offers opportunities to overcome coordination defects; initially intra-government and further, inter-social partners.
Consistent with the aspirations of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), social partners need to capitalise on the HPAI crisis by working together for the common good of the sector.
Efficiencies in the coordination and regulatory science innovation would improve evidence-based decision-making and implementation capabilities. A strong working relationship between all social partners is necessary to ensure that fit-for-purpose biosecurity measures are in place and followed.
Stronger prevention measures
Second, crises can be a source of innovative ideas. The HPAI crisis provides an opportunity for social partners to improve the capabilities of the animal health system through modernisation and continuous improvement. This includes bolstering the digital economy for the development of proactive and stronger prevention measures.
Additionally, integrated surveillance for early detection and prompt interventions. Sensing technology and forecasting capabilities are necessary to be better prepared for uncertainty in the future. The livestock identification and traceability system (LITS) and the laboratory information management systems (LIMS) are listed as critical interventions by the AAMP.
Another innovative option is the localisation of the production and processing of dried eggs.
Third, consistent with the AAMP, the state should fast-track the process towards registration of vaccines as per Act 36 without compromising the safety, efficacy, and quality.
The availability of effective vaccines provides a long-term and sustainable mitigation to the ravaging impact of bird flu. Further, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) via the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research should intensify research efforts to appreciate the modalities and prevention measures of the HPAI.
Egg rationing
Fourth, the sector is facing existential and adverse impacts of amongst others (i) high cost of production due to escalating fuel per barrel; (ii) crisis of intermittent electricity supply; (iii) high cost of burrowing; (iv) inefficiencies in the rail, road, and ports infrastructure; (v) climate change; and (vi) one-size-fits all farmer support packages that are unresponsive.
All these factors require urgent, cogent, and coordinated response. Bespoke farmer support packages are critical to recovery. AAMP succinctly articulates interventions to drive recovery and inclusive growth.
Fifth, the International Trade and Administration Commission (ITAC) should expedite the investigation into the possibility of temporary rebates on import taxes and anti-dumping duties for importers. Albeit domestic consumption should be prioritised without causing long-term harm to the poultry industry.
Keeping an eye on pricing
Sixth, the Competition Commission should continue as per legislative mandate to monitor essential food prices and prices throughout the value chain to determine whether consumers are being harmed by the state of competition. Similarly, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) should keep a close eye on the Farm to Retail Spread.
Free market economy is often accompanied by rent seeking behaviour. Consumers should be concerned about the potential for opportunistic pricing practices. The pursuit of singular financial motive is unsustainable.
The public and affected parties suspecting unjustified pricing should lodge complaints with the Commission under sections 8(a): excessive pricing; 8(c): exclusionary conduct; and 9(1) (a) to (c): price discrimination in accordance with the Competition Act 89 of 1998, as amended.
Seventh, the public should avoid panic buying. Similarly, retailers should limit the number of eggs being bought per customer. The adoption of egg rationing is likely to mitigate speculation by intermediaries.
Eighth, an aggressive awareness campaign should be initiated to take the public into confidence regarding the technicalities and implications of the HPAI. Last, the role of all social partners as powerful instruments to food security, livelihoods, development, and innovation should be the glue that holds value chain actors in the quest to mitigate the adverse impact of HPAI. Swift, cogent, coherent, and preventative measures are necessary to mitigate the impact of bird flu. The AAMP provides an anchor for coordinated and responsive interventions.
- Dr Mahlogedi Thindisa is an agripreneur and agricultural economist. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Food For Mzansi.
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