Egg Producers under Pressure

SWAZILAND - Farmers have been struggling to get reliable suppliers of replacement birds since the demise of Kharafa Trading.
calendar icon 14 January 2009
clock icon 3 minute read

The liquidation of Kharafa Trading (PTY) Ltd has left a huge gap in the poultry industry, as a large number of poultry farmers are still without a constant supplier of layers, reports The Times of Swaziland.

Before its liquidation over two months ago, Kharafa Trading (PTY) Ltd was one of the major suppliers of layers, poultry feed and day-old chicks for most poultry farmers.

The liquidation has left many poultry farmers without a constant supplier nearby, as some of the other suppliers of poultry are not in close to town centres.

Chairman of the Egg Producers Association, Alson Dlamini, said most of their 100 members still had no constant supplier for layers.

"There are other companies that may say they will supply us but only a limited number of layers. Other companies have bluntly said they cannot supply us with layers.

"This has resulted in a situation where poultry farmers are stranded without a constant supplier of layers. Many of our members are grounded because of this," Mr Dlamini said.

Asked on how much poultry farmers were losing per day, Mr Dlamini said, "Poultry farmers are losing a lot because of the current situation. Farmers in the business are losing at an alarming 100 percent rate, which basically means that there is little business movement at the moment."

Mr Dlamini had said late last year that they were involved in negotiations with a South African supplier and that they had hoped that the supplier would start supplying them early this year. When asked if they had reached an agreement with the South African supplier, Mr Dlamini explained, "We are still trying to reach an agreement with the South African supplier. However, the supplier requires us to deposit a certain amount of cash upfront before they deliver. This could create problems for local poultry farmers to a certain extent, especially to those who may not have the money up-front. We are still trying to reach an agreement that will be beneficial to all parties concerned."

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