KIGALI, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Poultry experts on Wednesday called on Africa's poultry and egg industry to increase exports and strive to become the world's leading producers of poultry products.
They made the call at a panel session dubbed "Marketing and trade opportunities for Africa" during the Poultry Africa Expo 2017 in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.
The expo, from Oct. 4 to 5, aims at creating closer business ties between sub-Saharan industry professionals and farmers and international producers and suppliers of the poultry and egg industry.
"Africa is ready to take its place on the world stage, if poultry farmers become vigilant and focus on increasing production and reducing imports," said Nan-Dirk Mulder, senior analyst on animal protein at Rabobank of Netherlands.
"The poultry industry should evolve from a continental basis to a more global platform," he said, adding that the sector can help Africa drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for rural people.
According to Rabobank, a Dutch multinational banking and financial services, Africa imports more than 2 million metric tons of poultry products every year. In 2012 alone, more than 5 million tons of poultry meat and two million tons of eggs were consumed in Africa.
"Africa's chicken crisis is an expression of overall weaknesses in its agricultural system," said Kevin Lovell, former chief executive of South African Poultry Association (SAPA).
"African poultry and egg industry stands a chance in playing a significant role in global exports of fresh and frozen chicken meat and eggs if they prioritize quality coupled with quantity," Lovell said.
South Africa is the continent's largest chicken producer, according to SAPA.
The two-day event has brought together close to 1,500 delegates from Africa and beyond. Enditem
