SA meat price inflation to remain subdued due to foot-and-mouth outbreak
Exports ban by several neighbouring and other countries might mean more supply locally and lower prices for consumers
SA’s meat price inflation could remain subdued in 2019 as a ban in exports could increase local supplies, according to the Agriculture Business Chamber (Agbiz), an organisation that represents commercial farmers and agribusiness. The SA beef industry generated about R2,06bn in exports in 2017. Foot-and-mouth disease broke out in Limpopo in January, resulting in the World Organisation for Animal Health temporarily suspending SA’s disease-free zone status. Neighbouring countries including Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, eSwatini and Mozambique announced a ban on SA meat imports pending the containment of the disease. Foot-and-mouth can infect people through skin wounds or the mucous membranes in the mouth after handling infected stock, or by drinking infected milk. But it is not introduced by eating meat from infected animals. Generally, infection of humans is temporary and is not considered a major public health hazard. In a market update on Monday, Wandile Sihlobo, head of agribusiness...
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