Botswana has marked a new milestone for its poultry sector with the official launch of a regular weekly export programme supplying 90,000 hatching eggs to Mozambique. The initiative represents the country’s first regular commercial export programme for hatching eggs to its neighbouring market and supports the government’s strategy to expand agricultural exports and regional poultry trade.
The launch ceremony took place on 22 July 2026 and was attended by the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Gorataone Dikoloti, together with Ross Breeders Botswana Managing Director Allen Bradford. The initiative was presented as an important achievement for Botswana’s poultry industry and a sign of the sector’s growing capacity to supply high-quality poultry genetics to regional markets.
Economic and employment impact
According to Minister Dikoloti, the project has created around 370 direct jobs, contributing to local income generation and broader economic activity. He said the programme demonstrates the value of collaboration between the private sector and government policies aimed at supporting investment, business growth and market expansion.
The weekly export programme is also expected to generate wider economic activity across the poultry value chain. By establishing a regular export flow, the initiative supports Botswana’s efforts to expand its regional poultry exports and develop new agricultural markets.
Ross Breeders’ production capacity
Bradford said the hatching eggs are produced at the company’s breeder farm in Artesia, where three breeder production sites are currently in operation. He stated that each site has the capacity to accommodate approximately 31,000 breeder hens.
Bradford also said that two additional breeder production sites are under development, which are expected to further expand the company’s production capacity in the coming years.
Under the new programme, Ross Breeders will supply 90,000 hatching eggs per week to Mozambique. According to the company, the expansion of breeder production capacity is intended to support future growth in export volumes.
Policy support and sector diversification
During the launch ceremony, Minister Dikoloti said the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture will continue working to improve market access, certification procedures and veterinary services in support of agricultural exports. He also encouraged farmers, entrepreneurs and aspiring agribusiness owners to take advantage of ministry programmes designed to help expand production and develop commercially viable enterprises.
The minister also highlighted the importance of diversifying Botswana’s livestock sector, noting that BMC refers to the Botswana Meat Commission, not the “Botswana Beef Commission.” He stressed that, alongside the country’s cattle industry, greater investment in poultry, goat and sheep production will strengthen food security, increase rural incomes and reduce reliance on a single agricultural subsector.
Regional significance
The launch of this regular weekly hatching egg export programme reflects Botswana’s broader strategy to build a more diversified and competitive agricultural economy. The initiative follows the country’s recent achievement of self-sufficiency in chicken meat and table eggs and aligns with government efforts to expand regional agricultural exports.
With government support, private-sector investment and a focus on quality production, Botswana is continuing its efforts to expand agricultural exports and diversify its livestock sector. For Ross Breeders Botswana, the programme expands the company’s export activities within Southern Africa, while for the country it represents another step in implementing its strategy to diversify agricultural production, increase regional trade and support long-term growth across the poultry sector.
