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NL
FMD crisis hits meat supply, threatens exports, drives prices up
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Farmer's Weekly SA
Overall, beef exports for the first 11 months of 2025 declined by 13 900t, equating to a reduction of R371 million compared with the same period in 2024.
Beef exports to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait fell by 33%, from 16 600t in 2024 to 10 900t in 2025.
“Panic buying, driven by retailers’ announcements rather than [actual] short supply, became the main driver of meat prices, and this still remains a reality,” he said.
Sihlobo expects food inflation to ease in 2026 due to lower grain prices and strong fruit and vegetable supplies, but warned that meat prices remain vulnerable as long as FMD persists.
Industry instability and wasteVerwoerd warned that while higher meat prices have created some opportunism in the market, FMD has left the entire industry vulnerable.