How To Start a Poultry Farming Business in South Africa

Poultry farming is a practice that focuses on raising domesticated birds with the eventual goal of producing eggs or meat for consumer consumption. This method of farming usually involves chickens (in South Africa) being raised in large numbers, but it can also involve ducks, geese and turkeys in other countries around the world. These types of farmers usually focus on a specific poultry type, or at least 50% of their production comes from chickens. If you’ve been thinking about getting into the poultry farming business in South Africa, we’ve got some information to help you make an informed decision right here.

Poultry Farming in South Africa

The poultry industry is one of the biggest in South Africa, making up nearly 20% of all agricultural production in the country, and as much as 40% of all animal products. This shows its promise and opportunity, but also suggests that there is a lot of competition in the market. Between 2009 and 2019, it has steadily been growing at around 1.7% every year. There are over 700 poultry farms in South Africa, half of which have anywhere from 100 000 to 400 000 birds. Poultry farming can be lucrative as demand for broiler chicken is very high in South Africa, with some even considering it to be the most popular meat type across the broader population in the country. 

How To Start a Poultry Farm

Starting a poultry farm is not an easy task, and will require a lot of planning, discipline and commitment but poultry farming is a lucrative and rewarding business. Decide which poultry sector you want to work with (and choose the type of bird to specialise in), which will determine whether you will be working with meat or egg production. Decide on the market you want to cater for, and begin planning logistics around where you could start the operation. 

Creating a Business Plan and Executing Operations

When it comes to running a poultry farm business, a business plan is essential. It can also help you secure additional investment if you don't have the cash flow to put up capital on your own. Once secured and the funding has been used for setup and initiation costs, growing chicks will become the order of the day. 

The next step after production starts is marketing, without telling people about your business (which of course needs a logo!), it won’t be possible to find customers. Eventually, you'll need to expand to larger chains, but first you'll need to put your products in smaller retailers.

Poultry Farming with MPC’s Poultry Range

Mpact Plastic Containers(MPC) can help you get up and running thanks to our poultry range, which includes products like the MPC’s 132 hole egg setter tray, poultry freezer crate, and poultry freezer crate, the crate is perfect for blast freezing to and has unique stacking capabilities to prevent damage of load. Our products are manufactured using HACCP compliant material and designed for ventilation, breathability, and are very easy to clean.

In a world focused on sustainability across businesses and in a personal capacity, you’ll be happy to know that these products have all been created to be 100% recyclable. Used across a variety of industries, they can perfectly complement your poultry farming business too, leading to higher outputs and increased efficiency in the long run. 

You can also exchange old products for new ones once they have reached their end of life.

Contact us for more information on products from our poultry range!

*Sources:

• South African Poultry Association. (2019). The poultry industry is one of the biggest in South Africa, making up nearly 20% of all agricultural production in the country, and as much as 40% of all animal products. 2019 Industry Profile. 2 (1), 5.

  South African Poultry Association. (2019). Between 2009 and 2019, broiler production has steadily been growing at around 1.7% every year. The Poultry Industry in South Africa. 2 (1), 12.

  South African Poultry Association. (2019). There are over 700 poultry farms in South Africa, half of which have anywhere from 100 000 to 400 000 birds. Distribution of farms according to volumes recorded in the AI survey from the Provincial Distribution Report. 3 (1), 6.

  Statista. (2021). Domestic consumption volume of broiler in South Africa from 2013 to 2021 (in 1,000 metric tons). Poultry farming can be lucrative as demand for broiler chicken is very high in South Africa. 2 (1), 1.