Although highly pathogenic avian influenza has been identified in South Africa since April, the recent escalation in outbreaks has led to market restrictions for South African exporters, according to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report.

On September 27, 2023, The Ministry of Agriculture in Namibia announced that they will restrict the imports of live poultry, fresh frozen poultry, table eggs, day-old chicks and hatching chicks. Namibia imports approximately 2,500 tons of poultry products from South Africa on an annual basis.

On October 3, 2023, the International Trade Administration Commission published a gazette to invite public comments for an investigation into a possible temporary customs rebate on imported “meat and edible offal, fresh, chilled or frozen” chicken. According to the announcement, the investigation will consider whether the temporary rebate should only be applicable to ordinary customs duties or whether anti-dumping duties should also be included. 

This investigation comes after a directive by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. A rebate, if implemented, may increase imports, and mitigate against the expected price increases of chicken. Regardless of the rebate program, SAPA anticipates chicken meat imports will increase from now until December.