JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Review of South Sudan’s poultry subsector performance: Constraints and untapped opportunities
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2025.676 | Article Number: 3E1A146514 | Vol.11 (4) - August 2026
Received Date: 21 July 2026 | Accepted Date: 10 August 2026 | Published Date: 08 August 2026
Authors: Achikule Alex Yensuk* , Gobeng Likambo Mamuru and Tarbal Daniel Comboni
Keywords: poultry, Free range, demand, Day-old-chicks, investment
South Sudan’s poultry subsector is a critical yet underdeveloped pillar for improving food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth, with an estimated annual production of 6.05 million birds. While the sector is currently dominated by indigenous breeds (Beledi) kept in low-input, free-range systems, it has recently gained momentum as a priority livestock value chain for investment. This review evaluates the subsector’s performance, identifying key constraints and untapped opportunities through a systematic analysis of literature and official reports. The subsector currently faces significant systemic barriers, including a high prevalence of diseases like Newcastle Disease (NCD), weak veterinary infrastructure, and a lack of public extension support. A primary constraint is the total dependence on imported inputs; there are currently no commercial hatcheries and feed mills in South Sudan, and all day-old-chicks (DOCs) and poultry feeds are imported from neighbouring countries. This dependency makes production highly susceptible to currency depreciation, high transit costs, and supply chain disruptions. Consequently, domestic supply cannot meet rising urban demand, necessitating the importation of 2,668 tons of poultry meat in 2022 alone. Despite these challenges, the sector offers immense potential for poverty alleviation and socio-economic transformation. Poultry production requires minimal land and capital, offering a rapid, low-risk livelihood option for displaced persons and returnees. Furthermore, since women manage 65 per cent of traditional poultry, the subsector serves as a vital entry point for women’s economic empowerment and improved household nutrition. Untapped opportunities include the domestic availability of grains for local feed milling and the use of thermostable vaccines delivered via community-based animal health worker (CAHW) networks. The review concludes that with targeted investments in local hatcheries, feed mills, and strengthened disease control, South Sudan can achieve poultry self-sufficiency.
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