Chicken feet make their way to China in R300m deal
A company based in Western Cape has secured a R300 million contract to export chicken feet to China, which will result in the creation of 3,000 new jobs.
In China, where chicken feet, known as ‘walkie-talkies,’ are regarded as a delicacy, AskCarlaKote, a Western Cape-based company, has capitalized on this demand. The company has recently secured a R300 million deal to export chicken feet to China.
Wesgro involved in the deal
The company that signed the deal, AskCarlaKote, did so in collaboration with Wesgro and Standard Bank, as reported by capetownetc. This opportunity will create 3 000 new jobs.
Wesgro stated that the specialised trading consultancy plans to deliver 540 tonnes of chicken feet per month, primarily through partnerships with women-owned poultry farms in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga.
“This deal holds enormous potential for South African poultry farmers and our clients.”
Carla Kote, founder of AskCarlaKote
She added that they have experienced some delays due to the recent bird flu outbreak in the country. However, they are optimistic that after they have addressed all regulatory hurdles they will be sending their first test order to China. This is planned to happened before the end of the year.
The agriculture departments in Mpumalanga and the Western Cape fully support this initiative.
Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander described the agreement as a significant achievement for the South African poultry industry.
‘With its potential to create thousands of jobs and bolster the regional economy, this deal stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in driving economic growth’, Stander said.
High demand in China
China has a strong demand for chicken feet, with approximately 50% of the country’s annual chicken imports consisting of this popular delicacy, according to bizcommunity. In China, people use chicken feet in soups and stews. Additionally, they served them as snacks.
Historically, China imported most of its chicken feet from Brazil, Vietnam, and the US. South Africa has had limited poultry product exports due to varying international standards. However, potential export destinations like the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area are emerging as promising markets.
The global demand for poultry products, especially from countries like China, has been steadily on the rise, positioning South Africa’s poultry industry for significant expansion.