Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:37:54 +0000
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
SHORT-TERM economic turbulences Zambia experienced in 2016 resulted in the broiler industry to reduce by 4.8 percent in the year under review.
The broiler industry realised K75 million in 2016 from K79 million in 2015, representing 4.8 percent decrease.
Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ) national chairperson, Rhodnie Sisala, explained that sustained high prices of stock feed during the period under review also contributed to the poor performance.
Mr. Sisala explained that the high prices of stock feed was as a result of high input prices of maize, which was limited supply and export market demand which pushed the local maize price to export parity prices.
“Load shedding and increase in the prices of petroleum products added to the cost of production in stock feed, which also had an impact on the prices of stock feed,” he said. He was speaking at the 15th PAZ general meeting dubbed “Adapt and innovate” in Lusaka.
He also said the layers sub-sector was the most hit sub-sector reducing by 26 percent in egg production and 14.5 percent in pullet production.
Mr. Sisala said the resistance by the consumer to adjust the price of both chickens and eggs meant that farmer’s profits margins were squeezed.
“This resulted in a number of farmers pulling out production while others switched from layers into broiler production, he said.
“There was also a reduction in the total number of hens in lay and total egg production during the year under review contracted by 26 per cent,” Mr Sisala said.
And Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Michael Katambo, said Government was working hard to ensure that the industry was protected from further shocks.
Deliberate policy measures were taken to manage the rising costs of production amidst regional demand for the raw materials such as maize and soya beans making them available for the poultry industry and indeed the entire livestock sector.
Mr. Katambo also said his Ministry was determined to come up with the Livestock Development Act which would create a conducive business environment for the poultry industry growth and its sustainability.
