In a recent statement, Gabon's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development, Pacôme Kossy, addressed the country's plan to ban chicken imports by 2027. The US had expressed concerns about this decision at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Kossy stated that Gabon is calm and confident in its approach, emphasizing that the country's goal is to defend its economic interests, food sovereignty, and develop its productive apparatus.
The minister clarified that Gabon has not been condemned by the WTO and is not facing a WTO decision against it. The US has simply raised concerns about Gabon's planned ban on chicken imports at the WTO. The Gabonese government has taken note of this and is preparing its strategy with the support of a WTO expert. Kossy highlighted that Gabon's approach is based on WTO agreements, including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which allows developing countries to take measures to protect their industries.
Kossy cited examples of other African countries that have taken similar measures to protect their poultry industries. Senegal, for instance, has banned poultry imports since 2005, resulting in an eightfold increase in industrial production and over 53 million chickens produced annually. Cameroon has also restricted frozen chicken imports, leading to a significant increase in national production. These examples demonstrate that with a strong public policy and a favorable investment environment, it is possible to rapidly increase national production.
The minister emphasized that Gabon's plan to ban chicken imports is part of a broader strategy to develop the country's poultry industry. The Plan opérationnel d’urgence pour la filière avicole (POUFA), adopted in February 2026, aims to create a competitive Gabonese poultry industry, increasing production to 100,000-130,000 tons per year by 2027-2028, up from 4,000 tons currently. The plan also aims to create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and retain more value-added in the economy.
Kossy stressed that the POUFA is not just about banning imports but about building a competitive poultry industry. The government is working with local producers, providing them with the necessary support to increase production. This includes providing animal feed, chicks, and access to agricultural land and credit. The government has already ordered 3 million chicks and is subsidizing this effort to support the growth of the industry.
The minister highlighted that one of the key objectives is to produce locally a growing share of the country's needs in chicks. By the first quarter of 2027, Gabon aims to produce locally over 1.3 million eggs for hatching and over 1 million chicks. This will help reduce production costs and make Gabonese chicken more accessible to consumers, contributing to the fight against high living costs.
Kossy concluded that Gabon's goal remains unchanged: to produce chicken in Gabon for Gabonese consumers. The government is committed to its plan to develop the poultry industry and is working to ensure that its approach is robust and compliant with international trade rules. The US concerns have not altered Gabon's strategy, and the country is confident in its ability to defend its interests at the WTO.
Key points
- Gabon's plan to ban chicken imports by 2027 remains unchanged despite US concerns at the WTO.
- The country's goal is to develop its poultry industry and increase production to 100,000-130,000 tons per year by 2027-2028.
- Gabon cites examples of other African countries that have successfully protected their poultry industries, including Senegal and Cameroon.
