Nigeria has recorded a deficit of 1.2 million metric tons of poultry as local production is put at 350,000 tons annually.
It was learnt that the country consumes 1.5 million metric tons of frozen chicken annually, the remaining demand of 1.2million tons is met through smuggling.
The President, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, urged the Federal Government to curb the smuggling of chicken to the country.
He noted that the frozen chicken were responsible for several health issues experienced in the country, due to the presence of high level of bacteria in the chicken coupled with high toxic chemical that were used to preserve it.
Also an investment analyst, Mr. John Ayodele, explained that to fully utilise the balance of the industry’s demand capacity would translate to 350,000 new jobs in maize production, 75,000 new jobs in processing and 500,000 new jobs in ancillary raw materials, products and services.
He noted: “Reducing smuggling by just 30 per cent would result in the creation of about one million jobs. The future of the Nigerian poultry industry hinges delicately on firm decisions on the part of the policy makers to reverse the current unwholesome trends that tend to tilt the balance more in favour of smugglers while putting the local producers in jeopardy.
“The investments of local producers need urgent safeguard and support that would enable them to remain competitive in the face of smugglers onslaught,” he warned.
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