THE Competition Commission announced on Friday, February 9 that it will conduct a market inquiry into the poultry industry value chain as it said that it has reason to believe there are features in the poultry market that may impede, distort or restrict competition. The draft Terms of Reference for the Poultry Market Inquiry were gazetted on February 6, 2024.
The inquiry will examine the participation of small and medium enterprises and historically disadvantaged persons in the poultry industry value chain.
“Market outcomes in the poultry industry matter as chicken meat and eggs are a key source of protein for the majority of South Africans, and particularly low-income households,” said chief economist James Hodge. “A poultry market inquiry into the concentrated and integrated structure of the industry can complement other initiatives to improve the competitiveness of the industry to the benefit of consumers and smaller participants.”
The Commission invited members of the public and interested stakeholders to make written submissions on the proposed Terms of Reference by March 8, 2024. The draft terms for the inquiry are now available on the Commission’s website.
The Poultry Market Inquiry will commence 20 business days after the publication of the final Terms of Reference and the final report will be completed within 18 months, as per the statutory requirements of the Act.
Details on the administrative phases of the inquiry along with Guidelines for Participation will be made available on the Commission’s website once the final Terms of Reference are published. At that point, members of the public and businesses will be invited to provide written representations and information to the inquiry.
