SA Firm Clinches R300-Million Export Deal with China for Local Delicacy "Walkie-Talkies"

In a stunning development for the South African poultry industry, local consultancy AskCarlaKote (ACK) has signed a lucrative deal to supply a quintessentially South African delicacy to the Chinese market. The Western Cape company will be exporting chicken feet, colloquially known as "walkie-talkies", to China in a contract valued at a substantial R300 million annually. This landmark deal promises not only to propel the South African poultry sector onto the global stage but also to bolster the local economy through the creation of approximately 3,000 new jobs.

ACK, a trade consultancy established in the wake of COVID-19's disruption to markets, has been pivotal in connecting local farmers to international buyers. The first shipment of frozen chicken feet, amounting to a staggering 540 tonnes monthly, is sourced primarily from female-owned poultry farms and is anticipated to make its way to China before the year's end.

Wesgro, the Western Cape’s official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency, together with Standard Bank, has played a significant role in facilitating this deal, underscoring a concerted effort to harness international demand for a product that has, until fairly recently, been underappreciated within South Africa's borders.

The timeliness of this agreement cannot be overstated as it coincides with a prior gap left in China's market due to a decline in American chicken feet exports, which suffered a 51% drop because of the bird flu outbreak. This new trade connection enables South Africa to tap into a market where over half the country’s chicken import needs consist of chicken feet, viewed as a delicacy and savored across a stunning variety of culinary creations.

Notably, the deal comes after some delay brought about by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which had impacted South Africa's poultry farms. Resolute optimism prevails, however, as the deal signifies much more than just a transaction; it is a promising indicator of substantial growth for local poultry farmers, with significant backing from both the finance and agriculture departments of the Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces.

This development also represents a strategic and dynamic shift in South Africa's trade and export landscape. Already operating across multiple African countries, ACK's foray into the Chinese market could pave the way for other South African businesses to explore similar avenues.

Beyond the economic impact, the story of South Africa's chicken feet finding a cherished place in China's dining culture is a fascinating example of the global exchange of flavors and traditions. Known as "phoenix talons" or "chicken claws" in China, they are consumed in various forms—from snacks to ingredients in rich, nutritious broths. By capturing the Chinese culinary imagination, South Africa's poultry sector is ensuring that a local, once-underestimated, product is getting a moment on the international culinary stage.

Looking ahead, the success of this deal may act as a beacon for other sectors, hinting at South Africa's potential to expand export capabilities, diversify trade partnerships, and cultivate homegrown enterprises with the capacity to deliver to some of the world's most demanding markets.