…indefinite closure meant to curb the spread of Avian Flu from South Africa
…the southern African economic hub has recorded over 60 bird flu outbreaks since April
Our Reporter
LESOTHO, Maseru – Fast food chain, KFC, has been forced to indefinitely shut down all its branches in Lesotho after the government banned chicken imports.
The ban, effected this week, was in response to the bird flu (also know as Avian flu) outbreak in South Africa where the bulk of chickens consumed in Lesotho originate.
Lesotho imports the bulk of its goods and services from South Africa because the tiny mountain kingdom has a small industry that cannot service its own people. The same goes for agriculture, as the country imports the bulk of its food including fresh produce.
In 2017, the country imported up to R7 million worth of cabbages from South Africa although Lesotho politicians claim that agriculture is one of the country’s strengths.
South Africa is one of the continent’s biggest poultry exporters. But that reputation and capacity have taken a dent because of up to 60 bird flu outbreaks since April 2023. The outbreaks have forced South Africa to cull in excess of 30% of its chickens.
In recent months, South Africa has felt the strain emanating from the outbreaks with the price of a crate of farm fresh eggs rising from an average of R45 to a staggering R125 in the few supermarkets that have them in stock.
Read more on the subject
Bird Flu Virus Infections in Humans
Avian influenza (Bird Flu) Fact Sheet
And the pinch is now being felt in other countries like Lesotho and Namibia, which has also banned chicken imports from South Africa.
A statement from KFC in Lesotho this week said they would continue engaging “the relevant stakeholders” to find a resolution.
