In our address at the South African Feedlot Association conference in the North West today, we emphasised, amongst other things, the value of collaboration between organised agriculture and government. Firming collaboration also requires improving TRUST amongst stakeholders.

The WINS the industry has made so far in fighting foot-and-mouth disease, which remains a challenge, have been achieved through collaboration with government and other industry stakeholders.

The next area of focus is OPENING MORE EXPORT MARKETS. This will not be achieved without continuous collaboration between the private sector, organised agriculture, and government. The cooperation will need to be extensive, including the sharing of insights, skills, and resources. For this beef industry to grow, we must focus on exports, as we don’t have sufficient domestic demand. South African households are under pressure. 

We know which markets are priorities, including various countries in the Middle East and Asia. These regions have higher incomes and encouraging demand for South African beef.

But achieving export access will also require that the government’s veterinary scientists (Vets) play a more constructive role in supporting the red meat industry. 

We can’t have a situation where government vets are, at times, seemingly reluctant to support export efforts, when the country must be growing the red meat industry ROBUSTLY through trade. 

The continuous MASSIVE marketing of South African red meat, highlighting its supreme quality, is also key in the international markets.

--Wandile Sihlobo is the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz)