The inaugural Zimbabwe Poultry Expo 2026 opened on Friday at Thorn Park Polo Ground in Harare, with industry leaders and Government calling for urgent strengthening of biosecurity systems, increased investment, and adoption of modern technologies to sustain the sector’s rapid growth. The high-level event, officially opened by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Development Davis Marapira, drew exhibitors, farmers, researchers and private sector players from Zimbabwe and beyond, positioning the poultry industry as a key pillar of the country’s rural transformation and food security agenda.
Zimbabwe Poultry Association chairperson Desire Faranisi warned that while the sector is expanding, it faces serious threats that could reverse gains if not urgently addressed. He stressed that avian influenza remains a global risk and urged farmers across the value chain to prioritise vaccination programmes, disease surveillance and strict biosecurity standards. Faranisi said the association is working closely with Government and partners to strengthen preparedness and resilience, noting that collaboration will be critical in safeguarding the industry’s future.
Faranisi highlighted that the poultry sector continues to demonstrate resilience and inclusivity, creating employment for women, youths and rural communities while contributing significantly to national nutrition. He pointed out that poultry meat production surpassed 277,000 metric tonnes in 2025, with per capita consumption of broiler meat rising to 17.5 kilogrammes per person annually. He added that egg production reached approximately 100 million dozen, translating to 76 eggs per person per year, although this still lags behind regional benchmarks, indicating room for further growth.
He further noted that small-scale farmers now dominate production, contributing nearly 69 percent of broiler output and about 65 percent of egg production. The sector’s gross value has exceeded US$1.2 billion, with strong linkages to feed manufacturing, crop production and rural livelihoods. However, he warned that infrastructure gaps, particularly in abattoir capacity, present investment opportunities that must be urgently addressed to sustain expansion and improve value addition.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the poultry sector is central to Government’s Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, describing it as a “powerhouse” for income generation, job creation and nutrition. He emphasised that poultry offers one of the fastest returns on investment for smallholder farmers and plays a crucial role in lifting rural households out of poverty. He also noted that the sector aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda and the broader push towards rural industrialisation.
Marapira outlined Government interventions to support the industry, including the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, improved access to high-quality genetics, and strengthened veterinary services targeting diseases such as Newcastle disease and avian influenza. He said Government is also prioritising feed security through increased local production of maize, soya beans and small grains, as feed remains the largest cost driver in poultry production.
He added that innovation must anchor the sector’s future, with farmers encouraged to adopt climate-smart housing, digital monitoring systems and renewable energy solutions. Marapira also called on financial institutions to develop affordable financing models for smallholder farmers, while urging research institutions to provide practical, locally relevant solutions to industry challenges.
The Deputy Minister revealed that Zimbabwe is targeting 362,000 metric tonnes of poultry meat and 145 million dozen eggs by 2030, up from 250,000 metric tonnes and 98 million dozen respectively recorded in 2025. Achieving these targets, he said, will require improved efficiency, stronger biosecurity, better genetics and increased investment across the value chain.
During the tour of the exhibition, Marapira and his delegation visited several stands, including Irvine’s Zimbabwe, Feedmix Zimbabwe, and Henn Chicks, alongside a range of local and international exhibitors showcasing innovations in feed production, poultry genetics, equipment and processing technologies. The exhibition highlighted growing investor confidence and increasing technological advancement within the sector.
Stakeholders at the expo reiterated that while Zimbabwe’s poultry industry is on a strong growth trajectory, sustained progress will depend on coordinated efforts to enhance biosecurity, improve access to finance, invest in infrastructure, and drive innovation. The event is expected to catalyse new partnerships, unlock investment opportunities and shape the future direction of poultry farming in Zimbabwe.
