While progress has been made in expanding vaccine access and strengthening coordination between government and industry, the pace of operational rollout in certain provinces remains an ongoing concern.

Since February 2026, eight million vaccine doses have already been imported, of which six million are already allocated to the provincial departments of agriculture. The remaining two million is yet to be distributed. A further 3.5m doses are expected shortly.

Combined, South Africa is expected to have landed approximately 11.5m doses by the end of May. According to AgriSA, the economic implications of the outbreak remain significant. Export losses have already exceeded R5.6bn. Between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, livestock exports declined by 12.9%.

Important step

The recent engagements undertaken by the minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, together with organised agriculture and livestock industry leaders in Argentina and Brazil, represented an important step in strengthening South Africa’s long-term FMD response capacity.

Data shared by AgriSA provincial affiliates, the Red Meat Producer146s Organisation (RPO), South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO), Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) and other commodity structures continue to play an important role in improving visibility and operational coordination across the livestock value chain.

Progress has been made in expanding vaccine access. Photo: Farmers Review Africa

AgriSA believes several operational priorities are critical over the coming months, with four critical areas.  

• The continued procurement of vaccines from a wide range of international manufacturers remains essential to ensure sustained and uninterrupted vaccine supply throughout the programme.
• Improved operational coordination and rollout capacity remain urgently necessary within several provinces where vaccination progress has been slower than anticipated. The private sector has consistently demonstrated its willingness and capacity to assist with vaccine distribution.
• Maintaining vaccine logistics, cold-chain integrity and operational deployment systems essential throughout the campaign.
• Movement control remains one of the most important tools available to limit further spread. AgriSA notes the importance of coordination between veterinary authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure movement protocols.

AgriSA said South Africa’s livestock industry remains one of the country’s most important agricultural and rural economic assets. While the outbreak presents significant challenges, it also presents an opportunity to build a stronger, globally competitive, biosecure, export-resilient, and sustainable rural economic sector. 

OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder dg

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