South Africa: Competition Commission conducts inquiry into the South African poultry industry

The Competition Commission of South Africa, and independent body under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition announced the launch of a comprehensive market inquiry that will seek to determine if the South African poultry industry is impeding, distorting, or restricting competition in a way that violates the South African Competition Act. This announcement follows a report published by the Competition Commission in 2023 that noted the concentration and vertical integration of the poultry industry. The Commission previously alluded to the role that protection from international competition may be playing in the consumer price of chicken in South Africa and noted that low-income consumers are heavily dependent upon poultry for protein. The public has been invited to submit comments towards the draft Terms of Reference.