Red meat prices set to go up

RED meat prices are set to soar as Rift Valley Fever provisionally stopped local meat production in some areas.

Imported meat is likely to enjoy more space in supermarket shelves. The National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation yesterday said RVF was one of the major reasons red meat prices were likely to increase.

Another reason for the hike was rising animal feed because of poor rain and drought in some parts of the country.

Lack of grazing management in prime meat-producing provinces such as Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape was also fuelling the hike.

Farmers say land desertification is playing a role in lowering meat production. Farmers are also reducing livestock due to lack of grazing land that has been turned into human settlements.

Nerpo president Aggrey Mahanjana said: "Animal feed is expensive due to factors like poor rain and drought in some parts of the country."

Meat price is currently at R16 a kilogram, with 80percent domestic production. The other 20percent comes from Namibia, Botswana and Brazil.