“Brazilian chicken destroys Egypt.”

In Egypt, there has been a big controversy on social media over the destruction of the poultry industry and its rearing after the country resorted to importing frozen chicken to fill a shortage in the market.

Hazem Al-Menoufi, head of the food division at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that chicken meat imports aim to balance the markets.

Al-Menoufi explained in a TV interview that the price of a kilo of imported frozen chicken is 60 pounds and the chickens weigh 1,200 grams and are priced at 78 pounds, adding that the first batch of poultry arrived in Egypt 15 days ago.

He added that the state has facilitated the importation of a batch of frozen poultry from Brazil after testing and sampling for examination before customs release, indicating that imports are aimed at achieving a balance between supply and demand and providing poultry to the local market.

Despite talk of importing chicken to balance the market, some saw the move as part of a move to destroy the poultry industry after the recent feed crisis hit the country, causing many workers to leave their jobs and executing a large number of chickens.

Some activists said on social media: “Promotion of a product that destroyed internal wealth in Egypt! All media on the same breath, all electronics on one note: the Brazilian chicken has arrived… You say there is a crisis in saving the dollar?… About the question: What is Who is the importer?

Another activist said: “I found news from poultry farmers in 2008 who were arguing with the government because they wanted to import chickens and remove 30% of their customs duties. They calmly told them that it would hurt them because local production is more expensive than imported. … All quarrels in Egypt are eternal without beginning or end.”

Another activist said: “What the ministry spokesman means is that the traders are not the cause of the crisis. As long as there is a dollar, why don’t they do it because of the frozen chicken from Brazil. The price per ton of chicken from Brazil is $450, and the more the quantity increases, the lower the price. Of course, the price difference is terrible between buying and selling a chicken that costs £15, selling at £60 means a 300% gain.

Source: RT