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Biosecurity has become one of the most pressing challenges facing South African agriculture in 2026. This is underscored by the absence of cloven-hoofed animals at this year’s NAMPO Harvest Day, following renewed concerns around foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The absence of livestock was more than symbolic. It reflected growing strain across livestock markets, heightened trade risks, and growing unease among producers navigating disease outbreaks alongside global economic pressures. These challenges formed the focus of a recent expert-led discussion featuring Dawie Maree, head of agricultural information and marketing at First National Bank (FNB) South Africa, Dr Dirk Strydom, managing director of Grain SA, Dr Phillip Oosthuizen, chief operating officer of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), and Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB.
The panel unpacked how disease management, global conflict, freight costs, and trade tariffs are converging to offset recent production gains, even as South Africa records one of its strongest harvests in years.
FMD and its ripple effects
The resurgence and persistence of FMD remain a central threat to agricultural stability, notably for the livestock sector. Despite accelerated vaccination efforts, its impact extends far beyond animal health. “FMD affects more than livestock movement,” Makube said. “It directly impacts market access, pricing, and producer confidence.”
Movement restrictions aimed at containing outbreaks have disrupted supply chains, restricted sales, and placed considerable strain on cash flow, especially for small-scale and emerging producers. Even where animals remain healthy, the inability to move product freely has eroded margins and increased operating costs.
Oosthuizen noted that biosecurity failures carry disproportionate economic consequences. “When movement stops, income stops,” he said. “For many producers, there is no alternative revenue stream.”
A bumper harvest, but limited price relief
Ironically, these pressures are unfolding during a period of strong production. South Africa’s latest grain harvest has improved food availability and lowered feed input costs, raising expectations of broader price relief. However, this relief is yet to materialise for many producers.
“Production gains on their own don’t guarantee improved profitability,” Maree noted. “External forces can easily negate those benefits.”
Freight costs, energy constraints, and market disruptions continue to dilute the impact of lower feed prices, limiting the upside typically associated with a bumper harvest.
Global conflict and trade headwinds
Beyond domestic challenges, global geopolitical instability is compounding agricultural risk. Trade tariffs, volatile exchange rates, and rising freight costs have reshaped export economics, particularly for value-added agricultural products.
Makube cautioned that global conflict has introduced a new level of uncertainty into trade planning. “Freight costs remain elevated, insurance premiums are higher, and trade routes are less predictable.”
These factors have tightened margins even as South Africa seeks to expand its agricultural export footprint. While export growth remains a strategic priority, panellists stressed that market access is increasingly contingent on demonstrable biosecurity credibility.
“Premium markets demand proof,” said Dr Oosthuizen. “They want traceability, vaccination records, and confidence that biosecurity protocols are enforced consistently.”
Biosecurity beyond livestock
While FMD dominates public attention, Strydom pointed out that biosecurity threats extend well beyond livestock. In the grain and crop sectors, plant diseases, pests, and bio-resistance pose equally serious risks, often with fewer public warning signs.
“Crop biosecurity is complex. Diseases spread in different ways, and early detection is not always straightforward,” Dr Strydom said.
He highlighted diagnostics and research as critical first lines of defence, particularly as pressure mounts to limit chemical interventions. Reduced availability of crop protection products, if not carefully managed, could heighten the risk of uncontrolled outbreaks.
“When options narrow too far, you increase systemic risk,” Dr Strydom warned.
Policy constraints and emerging reform opportunities
The discussion also addressed the policy environment shaping biosecurity responses. Dr Oosthuizen pointed to ongoing research regarding carcass handling during FMD outbreaks, suggesting that some disposal regulations may be outdated.
“Discarding entire protein components has serious implications for food security and profitability,” he said.
With research nearing publication, there is cautious optimism that science-based evidence could support targeted policy updates, reducing unnecessary losses while maintaining disease control standards.
Coordination as a defining factor
Across sectors, coordination emerged as a recurring theme. Panellists agreed that successful biosecurity management depends on alignment between national and provincial authorities, industry bodies, research institutions, and producers.
“Plans don’t fail at the policy level; they fail during implementation,” Dr Strydom said.
Regular engagement, practical communication, and shared accountability were identified as essential to ensuring that biosecurity protocols function in practice, not just on paper.
Protecting gains in a volatile environment
As South African agriculture navigates disease pressure alongside global economic volatility, the panel’s message was clear: Biosecurity is no longer a background technical issue. It is a core determinant of resilience, growth, and competitiveness.
“Biosecurity has become integral to economic decision-making,” Makube said. “If we get it right, we protect recent gains. If we don’t, we risk losing far more than production.”
With exports, food security, and producer viability increasingly intertwined, the discussion highlighted that strengthening biosecurity systems may be one of the most decisive steps South African agriculture can take in 2026. – Nikilene Steenkamp, Plaas Media
