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The government of South Africa has introduced emergency financial measures to strengthen its response to the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, allowing funds to be reallocated towards biosecurity, vaccination and disease control programmes. The move follows the declaration of a national disaster and is aimed at addressing the widespread economic impact of the outbreak, including export bans, trade restrictions and declining livestock productivity.
A nationwide vaccination campaign has begun with millions of vaccine doses already imported and more expected. The rollout is being supported by both public and private sector logistics to accelerate distribution, while local production capacity is being scaled up to ensure longer term supply.
The outbreak has significantly disrupted the livestock sector, with reduced slaughter rates and a sharp decline in beef exports contributing to rising meat prices. Inflation in meat products has accelerated, reflecting tightening supply and ongoing market pressure, while broader impacts continue to affect farmers and the agricultural economy.
March 18, 2026/South Africa/
https://www.businessday.co.za/
