Africa

Despite the continents history of socio-economic adversity, the short-term economic forecast for Africa is very good. Since the turn of the millennium, real gross domestic product (GPD) growth in sub-Saharan Africa has averaged above 4% per year, the strongest run since the early 1970's. Real GDP growth for the African continent increased as a whole to 6.7% in 2007.

Ramtrade Worldwide understands where there is growth there is business opportunity. In the past few years as a company, we made Africa o ne of our priorities. We have established solid relationships throughout the continent. African countries including Ghana, Gabon, Gambia and Sierra Leone attributed a staggering 21,309 metric tons valued at US $10 million. Brazil has significantly increased its exports to Africa, a market which the U.S. traditionally does not export large volumes of poultry. Over the past few years U.S. broiler exports to Africa have increased by 49% in volume. Also, Brazil is projected to increase its market activities in these regions in 2009.

The poultry industry in Ghana grew rapidly during the 1980-1990’s, developing into a vibrant agricultural sector and supplying about 95% of chicken meat and eggs in the country. Ghana poultry imports have more than tripled in the past few years as Ghana's domestic poultry sector continues to decline and can only supply around 10% of poultry demand in the country. The United States is a major supplier to Ghana, and imports from the U.S. are at record levels this year.

Beef Kidneys to Gabon and Ivory Coast continue to lead the way in US meat offal exports there. South Africa is by far the continents wealthiest state, and its prosperity has had a positive influence on the region as a whole. In South Africa red meat importers continue to favor product derived from South America, particularly Brazil and Argentina. South Africa's increased beef imports came solely from Brazil (4,821 tones) and Argentina (4,049 tones), which accounted for 84% of total beef imports last year.

It should be noted that up to 2010 EU poultry meat exports are projected to remain above the levels prevailing in 2007, with only a 3.6% decline in the volume of exports up to 2015. With these exports increasingly likely to consist of chicken parts, and with African markets playing a major part in this trade, these continued high levels of EU poultry-meat exports could well have important adverse effects on African poultry sectors. This is despite the increased volume of net EU poultry imports.