A local report has revealed the repercussions of an exceptional decision permitting mortadella factories to import frozen broiler chickens, despite a previous decision issued by the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry to halt imports since mid-August, with the aim of protecting local production and ensuring consumer safety from the risks of long-term storage.

On September 23, the ministry partially changed its stance and allowed licensed meat-processing factories to import frozen broiler chickens, under the pretext of supporting the food industry and providing raw materials, especially amid the rise in fresh meat prices and its shortage in the market. This amendment primarily benefits mortadella factories.

However, the state-run newspaper Al-Hurriya warned that some of these factories are exploiting the exemption without proper regulation, by selling imported broiler chickens to restaurants and achieving large profits, while local poultry farmers suffer heavy losses due to being forced to sell their products at prices below cost because of excess supply.

Although consumers temporarily benefited from lower prices, the continued situation could lead to the collapse of the poultry sector, posing a threat to national food security, according to the report.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Shoumal, Vice-President of the Poultry Committee in the Hama Chamber of Commerce, warned against continuing these exemptions without oversight. He stressed that mortadella factories do not need to import full broiler chickens and can rely on local production, which covers their needs—especially since Syrian poultry farms have achieved self-sufficiency with export potential, given the high quality of products based on plant-based feed.

Shoumal emphasized the need to stop these exemptions that are harming farmers—especially small-scale ones who rebuilt their farms after the war—pointing out that thousands of farms in Hama alone are threatened with closure if the situation continues. He called on the ministry to listen to farmers’ demands, as it previously did when suspending imports.

He confirmed that supporting this vital sector requires practical measures such as providing agricultural electricity and reducing feed prices. And if that is not possible, then at least local production must be protected by preventing unregulated imports and directing mortadella factories to rely on the Syrian market instead of supporting foreign imports.

Shoumal concluded that farmers are not making the large profits that are claimed, but are selling below cost, with the biggest losses falling on small producers. He called for a careful study of the sector’s needs for broiler parent stock, chicks, and hatching eggs, to avoid any imbalance in production levels. He also noted that winter presents an additional challenge due to the high cost of heating, though he expects prices to drop after the season ends, achieving a balance between consumer and farmer interests.

Source: avinews.com