High Prices Help Producers Recover From The Drought

Increased red meat prices during 2017 had a positive impact on the bank balances of producers still recovering from the devastating three-year drought in South Africa’s summer rainfall areas until mid-2016, according to Hendrik Botha, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal chapter of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (KZN RPO).

- Lloyd Phillips

Speaking at the organisation’s regional meeting, held in Estcourt recently, Botha said these increases had averaged 34% for beef, 101% for beef weaners, and 36% for mutton and lamb, primarily due to reduced supply as red meat farmers retained animals to rebuild their herds following the drought. He said that during 2017, cattle slaughter numbers had declined 14,2% on average and sheep slaughter numbers 14,5%, year-on-year.