Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Export boost for SA producers of red meat
The per capita red meat consumption of Saudi Arabia is amongst the highest in the world, and the demand for red meat grows annually by about 3,4%, providing a ready market for exports from South Africa.
The national Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) welcomes the news that South African beef and sheep meat can now be exported to Saudi Arabia, says Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the organisation.
According to Schutte, this achievement is a team effort, with South Africa’s politicians making a significant contribution. Saudi Arabia is one of the new BRICS member states. Schutte thanked the Department of Agriculture, Land
Reform and Rural Development for its contribution, as well as the abattoir industry, who played a major role in this endeavour.
The primary sector of the red meat industry, consisting of the RPO, the National Emerging Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, the South African Feedlot Association and the South African Abattoir Association, established Vision 2030, which determines that exports should be increased. Currently, 95% of beef is consumed locally, and 99% of sheep meat is consumed locally.
The economy is under considerable pressure, characterised by a low growth rate. Furthermore, producer prices decreased year-on-year by 5% after the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa’s red meat producer prices are between 30% and 50% lower than current world prices.
The local product is unique and the South African classification system determines that animals are slaughtered at a relatively young age. It is therefore of a very high quality, says Schutte. It is also a homogenous product due to the fact that approximately 85% of cattle in
South Africa are finished at feedlots. Vision 2030 envisions that 20% of locally produced beef are exported, and 6% of sheep meat. A statutory levy was established and implemented.
The aim is for emerging producers to provide the additional red meat needed for exports. A total of 40% of all livestock in the country currently belongs to developing producers, but they are not yet producing effectively. It is envisioned that 280 000 weaners will be produced annually by the developing sector.
FORMALISING EXPORT PROTOCOLS
The exports that are envisioned in terms of Vision 2030 also include the export of South African genetic material. The National Animal Health Forum put an initiative in place to formalise protocols for these exports.
This included the establishment of the National Genetic Export Advisory Committee at the beginning of 2023 under the chairmanship of Dr Pierre van Rooyen. The committee has the exclusive
mandate to assist the Directorate of Animal Health with preparatory work and negotiations in terms of export protocols for genetic material.
Genetic material (live animals, embryos and semen) of nearly all South African domestic animals, but especially indigenous breeds and even dogs, are in great demand in foreign countries, including our neighbouring countries and various European and South American countries.
The most important reasons for the popularity of especially South African indigenous breeds are the integrity of domestic animal breeders and their animal data, the hardiness and adaptability of the animals, and the fact that they are easy to manage, while their genetic production value is of the highest quality.
THE AIM IS TO EXPORT 20% OF LOCALLY PRODUCED BEEF AND 6% OF SHEEP MEAT
Van Rooyen pointed out that the current prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in the country is, with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal, looking very positive.
If biosecurity can be strengthened and the movement of animals can be properly managed, negotiations with foreign authorities will in future be easier, Van Rooyen said.