Johannesburg - Two United States senators have threatened to try to block South Africa from a lucrative US-Africa trade agreement if Pretoria doesn't lift import duties on cheaper cuts of chicken.
South Africa has imposed "anti-dumping" tariffs since 2000 of above 100% on certain products derived from the chicken carcass.
One of the signature dishes of South Africa's poor townships is a stew called "walkie talkies", made from chicken heads and feet. These parts are not popular in America and US exporters could easily undercut local producers without the duties.
Discussing possible deal
"We strongly encourage you to pursue solutions expeditiously that guarantee market access for US poultry," US senators Chris Coons and Johnny Isakson said in an open letter addressed to President Jacob Zuma.
"We will need to reconsider the extension of duty preferences under AGOA for South Africa if this situation is not resolved," the senators warned, referring to the African Growth and Opportunity Act which regulates US-Africa trade.
Under the AGOA, which is up for renewal in late 2015, as much as 90% of South Africa's exports enter the United States duty-free.
South Africa Trade Minister Rob Davies said the two countries were discussing a possible deal whereby the US could export a capped volume of chicken in return for providing assistance with developing trade links.
"We have been attempting to find a solution to that matter through dialogue," said Davies.
Struggled to meet demand
Despite duties, US chicken exports to South Africa totalled $20.1m in 2013, according to the US census bureau's foreign trade division.
Since 1994, the popularity of chicken among South Africans has soared, while local producers, strained by the high cost of feed, fuel and electricity have struggled to meet demand.
South Africans consumed 1.9 million tons of chicken in 2012, more than any other African country.
The market is growing 8.5% a year, due mainly to the expanding black middle-class, according to research by Pretoria University, making it an increasingly attractive market for foreign exporters.