This brief aims to provide insights into the nexus between the prices of yellow maize, soybean and poultry products. Yellow maize and soybean are to a great extent imported into the country. Thus, any external shocks such exchange rate volatility, supply chain disruptions and climate volatility play a critically influence the prices of these imports. Our trend analysis reveals that as prices of yellow maize and soybean rise, the cost of poultry production hikes, culminating into prices of the various poultry products also to rise but in varying proportions, largely driven by soybean. The rising feed costs not only erode the profitability of poultry production but also threaten food security, especially for low-income households which rely on poultry as an affordable protein source. Thus, interventions aimed at stabilizing feed prices need to be prioritised to reduce reliance of imported soybean and sunflower which is also used in the feed industry. For instance, there is a need to further support the domestic production of soybean and sunflower from which oilcakes are extracted to enrich the yellow maize during feed formulation. Moreover, there is an opportunity to explore the use of insects as sources of protein in feed rations.

According to the NAMC 2024 survey that is available on (NAMC website) a “statutory measure” is defined in the MAP Act as (i) a levy contemplated in Section 15; (ii) records and returns in terms of Section 18; and (iii) registration in terms of Section 19. Statutory measures namely a statutory levy, records and returns, and registration have been approved by the Minister responsible for Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the Minister) since 1997. Statutory measures are promulgated in the Government Gazette for specific agricultural products and for specific periods of time.

The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) acknowledges the findings and recommendations as outlined in the Competition Commission’s Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) Report published in 2025. The Commission investigated the possible existence of market features that impede, distort, or restrict competition in the National Fresh Produce Markets (NFPMs).