SA’s largest chicken producer warns of unrest
SA’s largest poultry producer warned the government to pull up its socks as the country is facing increased threats to its food security. South Africa’s biggest poultry producer, Astral Foods said the country is facing increased threats to its food security and intensifying poverty. The producer announced a crash in its half-year to end March on […]
SA’s largest poultry producer warned the government to pull up its socks as the country is facing increased threats to its food security.
South Africa’s biggest poultry producer, Astral Foods said the country is facing increased threats to its food security and intensifying poverty.
The producer announced a crash in its half-year to end March on Monday, 22 May.
READ MORE: Interest rate hike THIS WEEK for suffering South Africans
ROLLING BLACKOUTS ARE A BIG ISSUE
It said rolling blackouts cost the group R741 million.
No dividends were declared.
In its broiler operations, the group saw major production disruptions caused by load shedding.
As a result, the poultry division suffered a loss of R283 million from a R466 million profit in the same period last year.
ALSO READ: ‘I did NOT plant it’: Woman who filmed Woolworths rat video [watch]
ALSO READ: Gross! Unbelievable things found in Woolies food [photos]
REMARKS FROM THE GROUP’S CEO
“The macro-economic crisis in the country fuelled by incompetent state-run enterprises has led to economic stagflation, hampering any prospects for job creation, with disposable income of the consumer under severe pressure as the cost of living crisis deepens and a recession looms large. The dramatic demise of Eskom in the generation and distribution of electricity, of Water Affairs and the failing water supply networks, together with the disastrous state of Transnet, have destroyed the capacity of the agricultural sector to function efficiently, which is fast becoming globally cost uncompetitive,” said the group’s CEO Chris Schutte.
He added: It is time for Government to respond to the concerns raised by the business community and hardships reflected in the livelihoods of all citizens, instead of sitting asleep at the wheel floundering around decisions and not implementing real solutions, whilst the country implodes.”
ALSO READ: Woolworths recalls chicken viennas: Here’s why…
ALSO READ: Sticky air fryer chicken wings: A better way to enjoy game day