KFC is set to close all its outlets in Lesotho due to a severe bird flu outbreak in neighboring South Africa.
The Lesotho government has imposed a ban on all poultry imports from South Africa, causing a significant disruption in KFC’s chicken supply.
KFC has stated that its chicken sourcing relies on South African farms certified as free from bird flu.
Lesotho is a landlocked country entirely encircled by South Africa.
South Africa has been grappling with a bird flu outbreak for several months, resulting in the culling of over seven million egg-laying hens, which accounts for 20-30% of the country’s total stock.
Last week, Mozambique culled approximately 45,000 infected hens imported from South Africa, and Namibia had already prohibited the import of South African poultry in September.
This bird flu outbreak has caused shortages of both eggs and chicken meat in various countries in southern Africa.
KFC Lesotho has pledged to work towards a resolution and reassured its customers that its restaurants will reopen in the near future.
Source-BBC
