Nigeria

Country Bird Holdings acquired a majority shareholding in Valentine Chickens, situated in Kwara State, Nigeria, in October 2015.

The business had been the result of a Kwara government drive in 2005 to increase agriculture in the country, in which Zimbabwean farmers were invited to start up commercial farming and allocated 1 000ha plots. Four of the candidates decided on poultry farming, and Valentine Chickens was born, situated on 5 000 hectares along the Niger River, which provides options for development in various agricultural fields.

An abattoir, feed mill and eight poultry houses were constructed and production came on line in 2010. Valentine’s created a fully integrated business model by further investing in production of soya beans, sorghum, and maize, leading to self-sufficiency with the feed mill supporting the broiler operations. In 2015 a contract-growing scheme was initiated, equipping indigenous farmers with commercial farming practices.

Maize and soya production was increased and purchased from local farmers for milling.

Valentine Chickens is on track to become one of the largest producers in Nigeria, producing 300 000-day old chicks per week and the abattoir processing 150 000 broilers per week.