27/05/2026
The opportunity in being recognised as FMD-free-with-vaccination
Currently, South Africa is not recognised as having an official FMD status, according to World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) data from March 2026. “This lack of formal recognition significantly constrains the country’s ability to access and compete in high-value international markets,” says our Chairman, Louw van Reenen.
Without a clear and credible status, export opportunities remain limited, as many countries require strict assurances around disease control before allowing imports. This places South African producers at a disadvantage compared to countries that have adopted a “free from FMD with vaccination” classification, which enables them to trade more widely while managing the disease through structured programmes.
“Achieving this status would allow producers to optimise value across different regions and significantly improve returns.”
access could increase profitability by over 30%, believes van Reenen.
“Other countries already export successfully with vaccination, indicating market acceptance is not a barrier. In addition, South African beef remains competitively priced globally, offering strong value relative to international benchmarks,” he says.
He adds that South Africa needs to prove that its systems are well-regulated and strictly managed. “There must be clear evidence that we are controlling the disease effectively.”