Jeanne Van der Merwe

It is a testament to the strength and adaptability of the local blueberry industry that exports grew by 7% this past year, despite up to 70% of the country’s early cultivars being wiped out by black frost in the Groblersdal region.

While expanding red meat exports has been one of the South African agriculture sector’s good news stories, shortcomings in animal health and traceability are dragging prices below those of competitors.

South Africa’s premium agriculture exporters are doubling down on the US market despite Donald Trump’s 30% tariffs.

Louw van Reenen, executive chairperson of the Beefmaster Group, told the Western Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation’s (RPO) annual general meeting, which recently took place during Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp, that the company would not have been able to access the lucrative market it was currently enjoying without having implemented traceability at its feedlots.

Nampo Cape 2025 organisers are on high alert to protect animal health amid ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in other parts of South Africa.