Red meat prices to fall due to foot-and-mouth export ban
More meat that ordinarily would have been destined for exports from red-meat farmers must now be ‘force-fed’ to the South African market
South African consumers can expect a sharp decline in the price of red meat, thanks to a ban by neighbouring countries following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Limpopo. The outbreak was discovered in the Vhembe district two weeks ago. Last week, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, eSwatini and Mozambique announced a complete ban on importing South African meat until they had proof that the disease had been contained. While the ban has hit farmers, it has created a surplus as meat that was earmarked for export will now flood the South African market. A study conducted by the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) found in 2017 that if the country lost its FMD-free status, the economy would lose about R6bn a year. The country lost its FMD-free status in 2011 after an outbreak and only regained it in 2014, at a cost of R4bn to the economy, according to the organisation. Khaye Nkwanyana, spokesperson for agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana, said although the farmers were severely af...
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