The flagship AMIE Academy boot camp, which is halfway through its programme, has already delivered some insights which would be of interest to anyone involved in CSI projects. The podcast is also accompanied by a Closer Look that summarises the key points

Transformation in the poultry industry is bringing forward the disruptors - the entrepreneurs who are transforming the industry to benefit emerging farmers. One such disruptor is Flo Mosoane, with her agri-tech start-up EasyChicken. In our podcast, she explains how it works.

Carla Kote is a disruptor - not only has she facilitated a ground-breaking export deal to China worth R300 million a year, but she is shaking up the entire poultry value chain. Listen to what she has to say about the future of poultry exports from South Africa and her exciting predications about our export potential in particular.

The poultry industry in South Africa is in dire need of transformation, but according to the African Poultry Producer's (APP) Kobedi Pilane, the industry has adopted a top-down approach that is simply perpetuating inequality. Kobedi is always interesting, engaging and direct, and he says that the APP has a plan - just a pity the government is not listening.

Transformation is a hot-button issue in the South African economy. The Poultry Master Plan identified transformation as a key concern. AMIE, through their AMIE Academy, has taken an innovative approach to transformation through their Boot Camp. Take a listen here to find out what they, along with ESD specialists Tushiyah Advisory Services, are doing differently. Look for the explainer here: https://www.chickenfacts.co.za/explainer/

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity group provides an interesting service - it tracks the value of a basic food basket through the prices that consumers actually pay at the till. This is extremely important to get insight into the buying patterns of the middle-to-lower income consumer - people who rely on social grants and state pensions. Mervyn Abrahams explains the vital role that the PMBEJD organisation plays in reflecting the lived experience of customers, as opposed to faceless CPI statistics.

The recent AGOA conference hosted in Johannesburg has led to a diplomatic egg-dance over trade between the US and South Africa and our domestic foreign policy. It might have implications for our poultry industry, but there are larger economic issues at stake. In our podcast, risk analyst Chris Hattingh discusses the likely outcome of the next few months of AGOA negotiations.

Risk analyst Chris Hattingh has identified the twin challenges holding back economic growth in South Africa, and they are the same challenges faced by the South African Poultry Industry.

The 2023 outbreak of Avian Flu in South Africa is unprecedented. It's a huge threat to our local poultry industry and the South African consumer's access to affordable chicken. However, our podcast guest Dr Shahn Bisschop, a veterinary academic at the University of Pretoria and a consultant to the poultry industry, explains why this is the case, and why there will be hope for the future if the right action is taken now. Please take a look at our AI Fact Sheet

In this podcast, we talk to Fred Hume, MD of Hume International, an import/export company based in Port Elizabeth. Fred has very firm views on food security and the way to deal with the current shortages caused by our country's worst outbreak of avian flu.

In July 2023 AMIE announced the launch of a development programme under the banner of the AMIE Academy. The launch of the academy is a call to action for all industry stakeholders to take the lead in upskilling employees and SMME’s in the meat trade industry as a critical action to boost sustainable economic growth and food security in South Africa. The steak on your braai was on a complicated journey from farm to fire. There are multiple links in the chain to supply your Braai Day. The meat and poultry importer and exporter plays a pivotal role. It is not easy to enter this market on your own. We spoke to Grant Hendricks, entrepreneur and Executive Member of AMIE as well as a member of the Transformation Oversight Committee who has been on this journey and understands the importance of a support structure, good content, and commitment. Nominations: https://forms.gle/Rpa7nXM7GdXjC83o8 Applications: https://forms.gle/B9w8wt9mxSfHLWhc6 Enquiries: surisa@amiesa.co.za

Food choices on a tight budget are tough. For students living off a grant and attending university, every purchase counts. Ourrecent podcast delved into how poultry pricing may be affecting these decisions. Follow us on ChickenFactsfor more poultry related news https://www.chickenfacts.co.za/

In this episode, we will be discussing the importance of empowering and educating individuals who are interested in the import and export industry, specifically in the South African poultry industry. We are thrilled to have Surisa Nel, the Stakeholder Engagement & Transformation Lead for AMIE (Association of Meat Importers & Exporters), join us for today's podcast to shed light on this exciting initiative. The AMIE Academy is a result of the organization's idea to earmark 20% of the total levy income for transformation. This academy aims to address the shortage of black traders and is a step towards expanding the country's ability to move beyond commodities. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this groundbreaking venture!

The ever-interesting Simon Brown of Money-Web discusses the rising cost of living - is this a blip or a trend? His opinions are encouraging. Listen here

Today’s idea of living dangerously also includes braving supermarket shelves in the face of soaring food prices. In our podcast, economist Thabile Nkunjana of the National Agricultural Marketing Council provides a roadmap, a canoe and a paddle for consumers who want to navigate the rapids of food inflation.

In our upcoming podcast, we talk to Paul Matthew, CEO of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters, to investigate the possibility of chicken imports plugging the gap with chicken shortages.

It’s not only South Africans who are tightening their belts this Christmas, it’s a global economic crisis. In the UK, austerity measures are looming.  In the US, it is record inflation.  China is being hampered by a fresh outbreak of COVID.  The EU is facing power shortages.  And in South Africa - well at least there will still be a chicken on the braai. In the first episode of our ChickenBytes podcast season 2, we talk to financial journalist Simon Brown, about the ability of South Africans to enjoy Christmas, no matter what.  Join us for a very entertaining podcast, which covers petrol shortages, Eskom, the price of chicken - and the strange phenomenon of buying lipstick!

In Season 2 we are really going to get to grips with some issues. There is a different mood in the country, people are becoming impatient with promises, and they are taking their future into their own hands. Loadshedding, water shortages, civil unrest, poor service delivery... these things might sound really important, but what is even more important is how they affect food security. Researcher & host Niki Moore will be back discussing the wider impact of South Africa’s favourite and most affordable protein.  So stay tuned for Bytes size facts. Bytes size information & Bytes size conversations.

Donald Mackay, director at XA Global Trade Advisors, is always good value for money.  In this lively and informative podcast he unpacks the ITAC investigation and the implications of the tariff suspension. Niki Moore chats to Donald MacKay in this fascinating interview.

The African Farmers' Association of South Africa (AFASA) has withdrawn from the Poultry Master Plan.  Why?   Chair Kobedi Pilane tells us that the transformation agenda in the Poultry Master Plan is an afterthought, whereas it should be front and centre.