South African cattle farmers have had a mixed year in 2025, with glimmers of progress overshadowed by persistent challenges. Better summer rains in 2024 improved grazing conditions and lowered feed costs, creating optimism for the industry. Beef exports also soared, rising 30% from 2023 to 38,657 tonnes in 2024, with 57% fresh and 43% frozen beef. Markets like China, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Mozambique fueled this growth after export bans, triggered by 2023’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, were lifted in mid-2024.
Yet, farmers report 2025 as financially taxing. Renewed FMD outbreaks in regions like KwaZulu-Natal and North West led to temporary export market closures to countries such as China and Namibia, disrupting recovery. Coupled with falling weaner prices and subdued domestic demand due to economic pressures, farmers face significant financial strain, with the full impact still unfolding.
Hope lies in strengthened collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and industry groups. Vaccination efforts, backed by over 900,000 doses and R42 million for procurement through Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), are set to ramp up in late June 2025. For lasting success, the industry must prioritize animal health, domestic vaccine production, and enhanced surveillance. Expanding beyond OBP by leveraging private sector expertise and upgrading state facilities is essential to meet growing needs.
Through unified efforts among government, private sector, and organized agriculture, South Africa’s cattle industry can build on 2025’s gains, overcome setbacks, and secure a resilient future.
South African farmers are in high spirits as they work tirelessly to bring in what promises to be a bountiful harvest in 2025. Favorable weather, including ample summer rains in 2024, has boosted crop yields and grazing conditions, setting the stage for a robust season. Fertilizer, fuel, and seed prices are expected to increase, driven by global supply chain pressures and local economic factors, potentially squeezing margins despite strong market prices.
With a great harvest underway and strategic planning for the next season, South Africa’s agricultural sector is poised to strengthen its vital role in the economy, provided it navigates rising costs effectively.
Maize demand in the Southern African region is expected to remain strong in the 2025-26 marketing year, which commenced in May (this marketing year corresponds with the 2024-25 production season). One of the countries that imported most maize in Southern Africa in the 2024-25 marketing year was Zimbabwe.
The country accounted for 56% of South Africa's maize exports of 2.3 million tonnes that year. In the 2025-26 marketing year, Zimbabwe's maize demand is expected to be smaller but remain substantial. The previous season presented unique challenges, primarily the mid-summer drought. This led to a 60% decline in Zimbabwe's maize production, leaving the country with only 635,000 tonnes of harvest. This was far below the 2,0 million tonnes Zimbabwe required for its domestic annual consumption. Thus, imports played a crucial role in meeting domestic needs.
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