Success to the successful: Systemic inequality in the commercial broiler system

Queenan, Kevin; Cuevas, Soledad; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Slotow, Rob; Haesler, Barbara

Abstract

This series of five policy briefs draws on research conducted by South African and United Kingdom- based researchers within the SHEFS consortium. The series seeks to encourage policy makers working on the commercial broiler chicken system in South Africa to adopt a broad systems-based perspective in their work.
This brief highlights the systemic inequality in the commercial broiler system.

This policy brief highlights systemic inequalities which are created by policies that favour large-scale commercial producers. These policies, in turn, generate price-driven nutritional inequalities for consumers. The commercial system has outcompeted smaller-scale actors, and dominates the production and distribution of broiler products. Consequently, small-scale actors face barriers to accessing both inputs and markets. In addition, although a wide range of broiler products are made available through the commercial system, more affordable products often have poorer nutritional quality than more expensive products. While the current system aims to meet food security needs, the potential of small-scale producers to alleviate poverty and improve the food and nutrition security of lower-income consumers deserves attention and investment. Increasing the opportunities for small-scale producers through diversifying supply chains can also improve the resilience and sustainability of the broiler system overall.

Citation

Queenan, K., Cuevas, S., Mabhaudhi, T., Slotow, R., & Haesler, B. (2023). Success to the successful: Systemic inequality in the commercial broiler system. Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems Programme (SHEFS)

• Report Type: Policy Document
• Online Publication Date: Dec 10, 2024
• Publication Date: May 12, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 2, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2025
• Series Number: 2 of 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14355519