WESGRO brokers R300 million trade deal with China for chicken feet

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Western Cape provincial trade agency, Wesgro, and Standard Bank South Africa have facilitated a lucrative export deal worth R300 million per annum for South African firm AskCarlaKote.

Specializing in agricultural trading, the company is set to export 540 tons of chicken feet monthly to China, a delicacy comprising 50% of the country’s annual chicken imports. The deal, a joint effort with women-owned poultry farms in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga, has the potential to create 3,000 jobs across the value chain.

Carla Kote, founder of AskCarlaKote, expressed optimism despite delays caused by a recent bird flu outbreak. The collaboration involves Wesgro, Standard Bank, and support from agriculture departments in Mpumalanga and the Western Cape.

The deal showcases the power of collaboration, according to Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, and underscores the impact on economic growth and job creation.

Chinese consumers’ robust demand for chicken feet makes up a significant portion of the country’s chicken imports, with historical suppliers being Brazil, Vietnam, and the US. The partnership, initiated during a B2B matchmaking event, opens doors for South African poultry farmers.

Lebohang Dhludhlu, one of AskCarlaKote’s network of suppliers, sees the deal as an opportunity for commercial scaling, while Khaya Bruwana, a Western Cape poultry farmer, is hopeful for the industry’s future growth.

The venture represents a stride forward for South African poultry, entering the vast Chinese market and showcasing the potential of strategic collaborations in fostering economic development.

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