Consumers across South Africa are facing higher beef prices as a result of supply shortages caused by a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at one of the country’s largest cattle feedlots.

Retailers and meat vendors have begun notifying customers of across-the-board price increases, particularly for popular beef-based snacks like biltong. One major meat snack supplier announced a 15% hike on all beef items, citing rising costs from suppliers due to the reduced availability of cattle.

“The limited beef supply following the recent Foot and Mouth outbreak has driven up supplier prices, forcing us to adjust our own pricing,” the business stated.

The move aligns with projections from both market analysts and stakeholders in the meat industry, who have warned that the FMD outbreak would lead to short-term price inflation for beef.

According to the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), the outbreak—centered at Karan Beef, the largest feedlot in South Africa—has created serious supply disruptions. The facility, located in Heidelberg, spans over 2,300 hectares and houses approximately 145,000 cattle, playing a critical role in the country's meat supply chain.

The FMD outbreak was initially reported in May 2025 and has since spread to parts of the North West Province. As a result, strict movement restrictions have been imposed at affected sites, which has further strained supply and elevated prices, BFAP reported.

By late June, Karan Beef confirmed that the disease had been detected at three of its sites, affecting an estimated 160,000 animals.

Stats SA data shows that the economic impact is already being felt. In May, the cost of various beef products rose notably: beef steak climbed 4.5%, stewing beef increased 2.5%, and beef mince went up by 1.7%. These increases followed already steep inflation in April, when some cuts saw price jumps of between 6.2% and 11.9%.

“A combination of rising feed costs and the FMD outbreak has been driving beef inflation,” Stats SA noted.

Possible relief on the horizon

Despite the current challenges, analysts believe the price surge could be temporary. BFAP noted that once containment measures are successful and normal supply chains resume, prices could stabilize or even decline.

They also warned, however, that the continued presence of FMD could dampen demand for weaner calves and apply downward pressure on pricing in that segment of the market.

“The future trajectory of beef prices will largely depend on how effectively the disease is brought under control,” BFAP said. “With exports currently halted, recovery is crucial.”

Several countries—including China, Namibia, and Zimbabwe—have imposed bans on South African beef imports due to the outbreak.

Karan Beef told Farmer’s Weekly that all cattle movements have been paused pending government approval for slaughter operations. The company is actively participating in a vaccination program led by the Department of Agriculture and is cooperating closely with authorities to manage the outbreak.

On the global front, prices for beef, pork, and lamb have been trending downward. According to BFAP, South African beef prices could follow that pattern once the local market stabilizes. A recent strengthening of the rand against the US dollar has also helped offset some of the cost pressures, offering a small buffer to consumers.

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