Suriname poultry industry faces avian flu and import dependency

The poultry industry in Suriname is facing a severe crisis driven by an avian influenza outbreak and structural production challenges. An outbreak has caused significant livestock mortality, with one farmer in Wanica reporting the loss of over half of a 6,000-chicken flock. Despite the impact on thousands of entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV) currently lacks a clear overview of the total financial damage and has not established a dedicated compensation fund.

Minister Mike Noersalim has stated that the government cannot fully compensate for all losses, though funds may be released from the budget where possible. This uncertainty threatens the livelihoods of approximately 2,600 registered poultry farmers and poses risks to national food security and consumer prices.

Compounding the disease outbreak is a heavy reliance on imports. Local production currently meets only 35% of the total demand, necessitating the import of 20,000 tons of frozen chicken parts. This dependency is exacerbated by a shortage of local animal feed, as the cultivation of essential crops like maize and soy remains extremely limited.