The poultry industry in Tanzania is a vital cog in the agricultural machine, supporting millions of livelihoods and contributing significantly to food security.
At the heart of the sector’s sustainability and growth lies the pressing need for quality poultry feed, with soybean meal serving as an essential component due to its high-quality protein content. However, the industry’s heavy reliance on imports for its soybean supply has exposed it to the unpredictable tides of international trade dynamics and regional policies, leaving it vulnerable to disruptions and escalating costs.
Recent trade frictions, notably between Tanzania and its traditional soybean suppliers like Malawi and Zambia (where both countries used commodities (maize and soybean meal and cake as a negotiating tool) have underscored the vulnerability of relying heavily on imports. Such disputes not only threaten the continuity of supply but also drive up the cost of feed, placing an undue burden on local poultry enterprises.
The Current Crisis and Its Implications
The situation has reached a critical point with Zambia’s suspension of export permits for soybean meal and cake, and Malawi’s adverse weather conditions leading to a ban on Raw soybean exports.
These developments pose significant questions about the readiness of Tanzania’s poultry sector to navigate the impending challenges and ensure uninterrupted poultry production and consumption.
Soybean meal and cake, vital for both day-old chick and poultry feed production, represent major operational cost drivers, with demand estimated at nearly 150,000 metric tons (MT) annually. Yet, domestic production remains woefully inadequate in meeting this demand, highlighting a significant gap in the country’s agricultural output.
Acknowledging these challenges, stakeholders across the spectrum — including the government, industry players, and researchers — are exploring avenues to bolster local soybean production.
The pursuit of self-sustainability encompasses a range of strategies, from the provision of high-quality seeds developed through research to the dissemination of best farming practices among local growers. Additionally, policy and tax incentives aimed at encouraging investment in soybean processing and market development are critical for unlocking the potential of both soybean oil in local and global markets.
Short-Term Interventions for Immediate Relief
In the face of these challenges, immediate short-term measures are imperative to safeguard the poultry industry’s viability.
Key among these interventions is the lifting of import duties on soybean meal and cake from countries outside the SADC. Reducing or eliminating these tariffs, even temporarily, can alleviate cost pressures by facilitating more affordable imports from non-traditional sources. This move is crucial for maintaining feed supply stability while long-term solutions take root. otherwise, Poultry feed prices and day-old chicks prices will rise as producers struggle to get soybean meal a cost which will surely be felt by poultry producers.
Another pivotal strategy involves strengthening the capacity of national poultry associations. By fostering unity within the industry, these associations can enhance collective bargaining power, streamline decision-making processes, and improve information flow among stakeholders. Such consolidation is vital for presenting a united front in negotiations with the government and international partners.
The Tanzanian government’s role in this equation cannot be overstated. Allocating a dedicated budget to the poultry industry and elevating its status from a subsector to a recognized sector are fundamental steps toward acknowledging its economic importance. This recognition will enable more effective monitoring, evaluation, and targeted support, laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous poultry industry.
As Tanzania’s poultry industry navigates through these turbulent times, the collective effort of all stakeholders and an open mind is paramount.
Through strategic short-term interventions and a steadfast commitment to long-term solutions, the sector can overcome the current challenges. The path forward demands not only innovation and resilience but also a unified approach to rewriting the narrative of Tanzania’s poultry industry as a self-sufficient, thriving component of the national economy.
