Surge in meat prices raises concerns as foot and mouth disease strikes South Africa

SOUTH Africa is currently facing a concerning spike in meat prices, primarily attributed to the ongoing outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), according to agricultural associations monitoring the situation closely.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

The latest report from Statistics South Africa revealed a troubling rise in consumer food price inflation, which reached an 18-month high of 5.5% in July, up from 4.7% in June.

Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services, noted that the recent increase in red meat prices has been largely influenced by the FMD outbreak, which has disrupted supply chains and prompted concerns over meat availability. As of July, a total of 270 FMD outbreaks had been reported across five provinces and 249 outbreaks of these remained unresolved while 21 had undergone resolution.

“From an industry perspective, the main concern is always whether prices move too far out of line with normal market conditions, as this can affect both consumers and producers,” he said.

However, Olivier remains hopeful that these increases are temporary.

“Slaughtering has resumed in major feedlots, and we expect supplies to normalise. Importantly, aside from China and some of our neighbouring countries, most of South Africa's export markets have remained open, so trade has largely continued as normal.”