Red meat prices could rise by up to 15% in December. That’s the warning of First National Bank agricultural economist Paul Makube.
“As braai season approaches‚ red meat prices are expected to trend higher by at least nine to 15% from now until December due to tight supply and increased demand from consumers during the festive season‚” he explained.
Makube said red meat prices were relatively stable to strong due to tight supplies as livestock farmers hold on to stock and avoid slaughtering in the hope that pasture conditions will improve should seasonal rains materialise sooner than expected.
“Red meat slaughtering has been substantially higher this year compared to the past three years as a result of the drought. For example‚ the cumulative sheep slaughter number is currently 111% and 69% higher than the 2015 and 2014 levels respectively‚” Makube said.
“However‚ despite an increase in slaughtering‚ we did not experience an oversupply of meat which would have resulted in lower prices due to exports and a strong demand for our meat in the tourism sector.”
Class A beef could see a seasonal price increase of between R3.40 and R5.70 per kilogram‚ while Class A lamb could go up between R5.60 and R9.40 per kg‚ he forecast.
Pork will also benefit from the price gain of red meat‚ but there won’t be much of a price movement in poultry due to increasing imports.
Despite continued pressure on disposable income‚ consumers would still be able to absorb a slight increase in meat prices during the festive period. Others will opt to purchase red meat in bulk to outweigh price increases‚ he said.
“Even during tough economic conditions‚ we have picked up a trend where consumers will usually cut back on luxuries and non-essentials‚ but generally spend more on food and meat‚ during the festive season.”
However‚ Makube cautions that prices would have to return to normal levels in January post the festive season to avoid resistance from consumers.
He said that with rain expected in the coming months‚ the situation should start improving for livestock farmers that have suffered financial losses as a result of the drought.
Forecasts are now projecting neutral conditions for the 2016/17 season‚ meaning that there country should expect normal‚ instead of above normal rainfall as had been previously estimated.
“By mid-2017‚ we should see a moderation in grain prices which will lower animal feed costs‚ resulting in improved margins and profitability levels for farmers that are currently facing losses from the recent drought‚” concluded Makube. – TMG Digital
This festive season’s braais are likely to be a lot costlier‚ bank warns
Red meat prices could rise by up to 15% in December. That’s the warning of First National Bank agricultural economist Paul Makube.
“As braai season approaches‚ red meat prices are expected to trend higher by at least nine to 15% from now until December due to tight supply and increased demand from consumers during the festive season‚” he explained.
Makube said red meat prices were relatively stable to strong due to tight supplies as livestock farmers hold on to stock and avoid slaughtering in the hope that pasture conditions will improve should seasonal rains materialise sooner than expected.
“Red meat slaughtering has been substantially higher this year compared to the past three years as a result of the drought. For example‚ the cumulative sheep slaughter number is currently 111% and 69% higher than the 2015 and 2014 levels respectively‚” Makube said.
“However‚ despite an increase in slaughtering‚ we did not experience an oversupply of meat which would have resulted in lower prices due to exports and a strong demand for our meat in the tourism sector.”
Class A beef could see a seasonal price increase of between R3.40 and R5.70 per kilogram‚ while Class A lamb could go up between R5.60 and R9.40 per kg‚ he forecast.
Pork will also benefit from the price gain of red meat‚ but there won’t be much of a price movement in poultry due to increasing imports.
Despite continued pressure on disposable income‚ consumers would still be able to absorb a slight increase in meat prices during the festive period. Others will opt to purchase red meat in bulk to outweigh price increases‚ he said.
“Even during tough economic conditions‚ we have picked up a trend where consumers will usually cut back on luxuries and non-essentials‚ but generally spend more on food and meat‚ during the festive season.”
However‚ Makube cautions that prices would have to return to normal levels in January post the festive season to avoid resistance from consumers.
He said that with rain expected in the coming months‚ the situation should start improving for livestock farmers that have suffered financial losses as a result of the drought.
Forecasts are now projecting neutral conditions for the 2016/17 season‚ meaning that there country should expect normal‚ instead of above normal rainfall as had been previously estimated.
“By mid-2017‚ we should see a moderation in grain prices which will lower animal feed costs‚ resulting in improved margins and profitability levels for farmers that are currently facing losses from the recent drought‚” concluded Makube. – TMG Digital
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