The Poultry Association of Zambia has disclosed that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the poultry industry in the first half of the year.

Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association Executive Manager Dominic Chanda says this is because a number of players along the value chain and the supply chain have been affected differently such as the tourism industry.

“Covid 19 has had a negative impact on the industry in the sense that a number of players along the value chain and the supply chain have been affected differently,” he said.

Mr. Chanda explained that the closure of the tourism industry has negatively affected those who used to supply chicken to sectors of the economy such as hotels, lodges, public functions and entertainment gatherings.

“Meaning that Chickens they used to consume cannot be consumed,” he explained.

He said it is for this reason that the prices for frozen chicken on the market has drastically reduced from an average of 29 Kwacha per Kilogram to 22 Kwacha 99 Ngwee per Kilogram.

Mr. Chanda however said despite the decrease in pricing of Chickens, the cost of Production is still high with broiler feed selling at an average of 350 Kwacha. “But even if they have reduced, the cost of producing one chicken is still very high,” he said.