Zambia: Feed prices, demand hit poultry output

Poultry production in Zambia has fallen 35% in the past 6 months due mainly to a drop in demand, as well as high poultry and livestock feed prices.

Mathews Ngosa, the executive manager of the Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ), said that as a result, the industry’s annual production capacity will this year reduce from the projected 32 mln to as low as 22 mln birds, reports The Times of Zambia.

Most of the hatcheries in the country had either scaled down or temporarily suspended production until the prices of feed comprising mainly soy stabilise, Ngosa said.

“Production has scaled down in the past 6 months due to the high cost of stockfeed and low demand of the products,” Mr Ngosa said.

Approx. 70% of poultry feed is comprised of soy, and the low yields in 2008 had greatly affected production of chickens in the poultry sector.

This has also resulted in the price of chicken and other poultry products skyrocket in the past 6 months, making it almost impossible for the industry players to remain sustainable.

Ngosa said the sector might not even achieve its export targets for this year until demand as well as feed prices improved. He added, however, that he is optimistic that the prices of soy and other inputs in the production of feed would stabilise, especially with the coming of the new crop this harvest season.

Source: The Times of Zambia