By Lloyd Phillips
China has reportedly suspended its imports of South African products derived from cloven-hoofed animals following ongoing outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa.
China, which is the biggest market in terms of volume for South Africa’s red meat exports, has reportedly temporarily suspended such imports with immediate effect.
Dr Frikkie Maré, chief executive officer of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation of South Africa (RPO), says this announcement was made yesterday during a meeting with the South African Department of Agriculture.
“It’s very fresh news. I have only received one page of information at this stage about China’s decision. We will have to wait and see what further information emerges,” he tells African Farming.
The Red Meat Industry Services website states that China imported 45 782 tons of red meat valued at R2,9 billion from South Africa over the past year.
Maré continues: “I don’t think this suspension by China will have a big impact on South Africa’s wider red meat value chain. However, the one or more South African abattoirs that export directly to China will probably be significantly impacted. Even their shipments on the way to China now will have to be turned around.”
African Farming has requested, and is waiting for, more information from the Department of Agriculture.
UPDATE: The Department of Agriculture has subsequently clarified that, at this stage, the suspension pertains only to China’s imports of all beef from South Africa.
*This is a developing story
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