Paz Forecasts Continued Growth of Poultry Industry

ZAMBIA - The poultry industry in Zambia envisages continued growth in the next few years, as production costs for poultry products remain low.

The Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ), an affiliate of the Zambia National Farmers Union, says its focus would be to call for a further reduction in production costs and ensure that the benefits of this reduction trickle down to every poultry farmer in the country.

The essence of this goal, according to the association, is to make the poultry industry more competitive locally and internationally.

In a report on the Broiler sub-committee to the PAZ AGM last Friday, small-scale broiler producers expressed their concern over the recent fuel price hike, stating that this would mean an increase in transport costs for the industry, later on a hike in poultry products.

The committee also stated that it anticipates a further reduction in feedstock due to an expected bumper maize harvest that would stabilise the maize market in the country.

Because of the appreciation of the kwacha, stock feed suppliers effected a 15 per cent reduction in prices.

The layers committee report revealed a growth in production to the current 130,000 birds per month from the previous 100,000, attributing this to a rise in the number of producers coming on board. Committee chairperson Veronica Machungwa however said the introduction of VAT on agricultural products, though now waived, caused considerable losses in the industry.

Source: AllAfrica