SA loses R1.5bn in lamb exports as Middle East markets remain blocked

Meat industry says country is missing out on lucrative export opportunities due to bottlenecks

- ASHLEY LECHMAN

SOUTH Africa’s meat industry has warned that the country risks missing out on lucrative export opportunities unless longstanding regulatory and certification bottlenecks are urgently resolved.

The warning comes after Italy recently expressed significant interest in importing South African beef during discussions at the SA Italy Agriculture Business Forum in Cape Town.

While industry stakeholders welcomed the prospect of expanding exports into Europe, they cautioned that new opportunities mean little if existing export channels remain constrained.

Paul Matthew, chief executive of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters of Southern Africa (AMIE), said South Africa needed to focus not only on securing new markets but also on ensuring that approved and commercially viable export routes function effectively.

“Italy's interest in South African beef should be a positive signal for local producers,” Matthew said.

“However, new export opportunities mean little if government cannot restore access to meat markets already accessible, approved, or commercially ready.”

AMIE chairman Mark Luff said global trade dynamics, including growing tariff pressures in the United States, made it increasingly important for South Africa to diversify its agricultural export relationships.

“Italy’s interest in local beef confirms that demand exists for South African red meat,” Luff said.