Zambia plans to produce 32 million poultry by 2010

Zambia's poultry sector plans to produce more than 32 million birds per year by 2010, according to Poultry Association of Zambia executive manager Mathews Ngosa.

The anticipated improvement in crop output would increase the availability of raw materials for local stock feed production, he said.

Once there is an abundance of stock feed in the market, prices would stabilise and encourage increased production, which in turn would result in higher poultry output.

Last year, Zambia produced less than 22 million birds, down from the annual production target of 26 million due to challenges such as high input costs.

Ngosa said the sector would not venture into the export market this year until production improves.

A number of poultry producers had temporarily stopped production due to the shortage of soy, a key ingredient in stock feed.