South African feed production driven by rising meat consumption

November 6, 2024 - According to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report, the expansion of the livestock sector in South Africa has played an integral part in the development of the animal feed industry.

Over the past 30 year in South Africa animal production has more than doubled, driven by higher meat demand. The major industries in the livestock sector include poultry, cattle, dairy, pigs and sheep.

The livestock sector also includes well-developed and value-added cold chain activities such as the slaughtering, processing and preserving of products. Animal production is the largest agricultural sector in South Africa and contributes about 42% to total agricultural output in terms. Field crops and the horticultural sector each contribute 29% contribution.

The poultry industry is South Africa's largest individual agricultural industry, boasting a gross value of almost R63 billion ($3.5 billion) and contributing 14% to the total gross value of agricultural products.

Commercial broiler meat production accounts for approximately 90% of the poultry meat industry in South Africa, with the remaining 10% comprised of subsistence farming production and spent hens. The poultry industry is followed by cattle production at R48 billion ($2.7 billion), dairy productions ($1.4 billion), egg production ($0.7 billion), pigs ($0.6 billion) and sheep ($0.5 billion).

The Global Miller
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