Red meat prices not so ‘merry’ this festive season

With the festive season approaching¸ red meat prices are expected to increase at least 6%. This is according to Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Association.

Red meat prices not so ‘merry’ this festive season
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With the festive season approaching¸ red meat prices are expected to increase at least 6%. This is according to Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Association.

Schutte attributed this increase mainly to a suppressed offering due to the drought.

“The severe drought in parts of South Africa, especially the Western Cape, in recent years forced farmers to cull their herds. This meant that the supply of sheep and cattle from those areas is substantially lower than previous years.”

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Schutte said he did not expect meat prices to decline soon, but also did not expect consumer resistance either, despite the high prices. He estimated that meat prices would level out after the increases that were expected during the festive season.

According to Bianca Capazorio, spokesperson for the Department of Economic Opportunities in the Western Cape, farmers in the Central and Klein Karoo areas were worst hit by the drought.

“Dam levels in the Karoo region remain below 20% and farmers in the region, well known for sheep and ostrich farming, are being [affected] by feed shortages, as they cannot grow their own feed.” She said that although the department had made several tons of fodder available to farmers, there would probably still be an increase in food prices, especially of Karoo lamb.

Capazorio added that the department remained hopeful that there would be some relief in the coming months as the region received summer rainfall. However, it would not mean that there would be immediate relief to consumers.

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Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years. She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.