Who Owns Whom

The Farming of Animals in South Africa

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2020

Rebecca Viljoen | South Africa | 11 December 2020

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2019

Marc Bosman | South Africa | 14 March 2019

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2017

Marc Bosman | South Africa | 09 May 2017

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2015

Brenda Young | South Africa | 30 January 2015

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Report Coverage

This report focuses on the farming of animals in South Africa, with a particular focus on the production of livestock. It includes information on the state and size of the sector and focuses on various subsectors, including stud and stock breeding, commercial livestock farming, an emerging commercial sector, communal farmers, speculators and horse and game breeders. There is information on cattle, dairy, pig, sheep, goat and game farming and statistics on consumption, imports and exports, slaughters per province, land use and number of households involved in agriculture, among others, and information on factors that influence the sector such as disease, theft and environmental and land issues. This report does not include profiles of notable industry players.

The Farming of Animals

Livestock farming is South Africa’s largest agricultural sector, accounting for over 40% of agricultural output’s total value and occupying roughly 80% of available agricultural land. In rural areas, animal farming is often the primary income generator and to many South Africans, livestock is also a form of social capital. Although primary agriculture contributes a relatively small share to the country’s GDP, it plays an important role in job creation and earning foreign exchange through exports. The strength of South Africa’s livestock production lies in its well-established private sector and its support for small and emerging commercial farmers. Many animal farmers have a wealth of institutional knowledge; operating farms that have been in the family for generations.

Commercial Farming

In recent decades farming companies have replaced individual farmers. There over 13,500 animal farms or farming units, of which a third are commercial farms. Concentration and centralisation are partly responsible for the sharp reduction in the number of commercial farming units. The sector is responding to mounting pressure for high standards and transparency with regards to safety, quality, environmental sustainability and welfare. The ongoing drought in many regions of South Africa is severely affecting animal farmers.

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Farming of Animals In South Africa 2020

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

Industry Overview

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 70.34 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2019-03-14

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

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Farming of Animals In South Africa 2017-05-09

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

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Farming of Animals In South Africa 2015-01-30

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

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Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 6
2.2. Geographic Position 7
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 10
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 16
4.1. Local 16
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 20
4.1.2. Regulations 20
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 22
4.2. Continental 23
4.3. International 26
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 29
5.1. Coronavirus 29
5.2. Economic Environment 30
5.3. Government Incentives and Support 31
5.4. Drought and Wildfire 31
5.5. Disease 32
5.6. Livestock Theft, Crime and Predators 33
5.7. Land 34
5.8. Input Costs 35
5.9. Research and Development (R&D), Technology and Innovation 36
5.10. Environmental, Health and Animal Welfare Concerns 37
5.11. Cyclicality 40
5.12. Labour 41
6. COMPETITION 43
6.1. Barriers to Entry 44
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 44
8. OUTLOOK 46
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 47
10. REFERENCES 49
10.1. Publications 49
10.2. Websites 50

Report Coverage

This report focuses on the farming of animals in South Africa, specifically the extensive or pastoral production of livestock. It describes the commercial, emerging, communal and stud farming sectors and includes detailed information on the farming of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and game or wildlife and the factors influencing the sector’s success.

The Farming of Animals

Livestock farming is the largest agricultural sector and continues to suffer the consequences of reduced rainfall since 2014, ongoing drought and drought-induced losses, excessive temperatures which affect breeding, rising input costs, increasing crime, stock theft and predation, diseases, reduced consumer spending and limited access to land, water and resources. The sector continues to decline in terms of number of farmers and livestock. Despite all this however, gross animal product income for 2017/2018 of R142.97bn was 13.3% higher than the R126.16bn reported in 2016/2017, largely due to better prices received by farmers.

Industry in Decline

The industry is largely severely financially constrained and remains challenged by policy uncertainty on land expropriation. The 2017/2018 season will be remembered for the continuation in certain areas of the worst drought in over 100 years with calamitous results for many industry players and the significant loss of livestock. The number of commercial farming units has dropped precipitously and it is expected to decline further.

Read More..
Farming of Animals In South Africa 2019

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

Industry Overview

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 70.34 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2020-12-11

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2017-05-09

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2015-01-30

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Geographic Position 3
2.2. Industry Value Chain 4
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 5
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 15
4.1. Local 15
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 18
4.1.2. Regulations 18
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 22
4.2. Continental 24
4.3. International 27
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 29
5.1. Government Initiatives and Intervention 29
5.2. Land Issues 33
5.3. Consumer Demand, Consumer Health and Retailer Needs 35
5.4. Grazing Capacity and Stocking Rate 35
5.5. Animal Disease 36
5.6. Economic Environment 37
5.7. Rising Input and Operating Costs 39
5.8. Agricultural Commodity Market Impact 40
5.9. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 41
5.10. Labour 43
5.11. Cyclicality 46
5.12. Environmental Concerns 47
5.13. Crime, Stock Theft and Predation 49
6. COMPETITION 51
6.1. Barriers to Entry 52
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 53
8. OUTLOOK 53
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 54
10. REFERENCES 56
10.1. Publications 56
10.2. Websites 59
APPENDIX 1 61
Definition of Free-Range Farming 61

Report Coverage

The Farming of Animals in South Africa describes current conditions, Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development initiatives as well as legislative developments. Factors that influence the success of the sector are also included in this informative report.

The Farming of Animals in South Africa

Livestock farming is the largest agricultural sector with a population of 13.399 million cattle and 23.287 million sheep as at August 2016. These numbers are significantly down from the 2015 figures due to the poor 2014/2015 rainfall season and the drought-induced losses of 2016. According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), 2015 revenue from animal products, excluding fowls slaughtered and eggs, amounted to R63.178bn, an increase of over 15% on the 2014 figure of R54.667bn. The game industry contributed more than R20bn to GDP with hunting accounting for R7.3bn and the breeding and sales of game animals approximately R5bn.

Challenges and Opportunities

The 2015/2016 season will be remembered for the worst drought faced in over 100 years with calamitous results for many industry players and the significant loss of livestock. The respective national herds and flocks will take a long time to recover, and in the meantime increased consumer demand and high feed costs have led to increased prices for consumers. The Regulation of Agricultural Land Holdings Bill which was published for public comment in March 2017 is expected to cause further tension in the racially polarised sector. The Bill aims to reverse the legacy of colonialism and apartheid and ensure a just and equitable distribution of agricultural land to Africans, to extinguish foreign ownership of agricultural land and change foreign ownership rights to leasing rights. On a positive note, South Africa remains a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) country with a zone free of Foot and Mouth Disease without vaccination and exports meat products to the Indian Ocean Islands and African countries. The price of animal feed has decreased as a result of a near record maize crop estimated at 87% larger than the 2016 crop and the domestic industry is expected to grow as population growth and the expansion of developing economies boost global demand for meat.

Read More..
Farming of Animals In South Africa 2017

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

Industry Overview

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 70.34 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2020-12-11

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2019-03-14

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2015-01-30

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Value Chain 3
2.2. Geographic Position 4
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 4
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 12
4.1. Local 12
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 14
4.1.2. Regulations 14
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 17
4.2. Continental 20
4.3. International 21
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 24
5.1. Government Initiatives and Intervention 24
5.2. Land Issues 27
5.3. Consumer Demand, Consumer Health and Retailer Needs 29
5.4. Grazing Capacity and Stocking Rate 29
5.5. Animal Disease 29
5.6. Economic Environment 31
5.7. Rising Input and Operating Costs 32
5.8. Agricultural Commodity Market Impact 32
5.9. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 33
5.10. Labour 35
5.11. Cyclicality 38
5.12. Environmental Concerns 38
5.13. Crime, Stock Theft and Predation 39
6. COMPETITION 41
6.1. Barriers to Entry 41
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 42
8. OUTLOOK 43
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 43
10. REFERENCES 45
10.1. Publications 45
10.2. Websites 51
APPENDIX 1 53
Free-Range Farming 53

Report Coverage

The Farming of Animals report describes current conditions, factors that influence the success of the sector and prospects for an industry that is expected to grow as global population growth and the expansion of developing economies boost the demand for meat. Statistics for all domestic farm animals are provided, including for the ostrich industry where 588 registered farms and ten EU-approved and registered export abattoirs export meat and products to the value of approximately R1.2bn annually.

The Farming of Animals in South Africa

Livestock farming is the largest agricultural sector in the country with a population of 13.9 million cattle, 24 million sheep and 1.5 million pigs. According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), in 2013 revenue from animal products increased by 7.4% from 2012 and amounted to R87.437bn. The sector is divided into three sub-sectors: the commercial sector, which currently produces 90% of agricultural output; the emerging commercial sector which comprises predominantly black farmers, including those who benefited from land reform; and the communal sector which produces 10% of total agricultural output through subsistence farming.

A Sector Beset by Problems

Of concern to those involved in the industry are outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth (FMD) disease and the occurrence of bird flu in the ostrich population. In February 2014, after a three-year ban on the export of red meat that cost the industry R4bn per annum, South Africa was recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as a country with a zone free of FMD without vaccination. However, exports are under threat again after an OIE mission team conducted a verification assessment on FMD controls in December 2014 and identified areas that need further attention. In the emerging commercial sector many farmers have had serious challenges in accessing funding as well as gaining the technical expertise needed to operate as fully-fledged commercial farmers. At the same time, the number of commercial farms has decreased from 58,000 in 1997 to between 35,000 and 38,500 currently.

Read More..
Farming of Animals In South Africa 2015

Full Report

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

Industry Overview

R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 70.34 (USD)*

Historical Reports

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2020-12-11

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2019-03-14

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Farming of Animals In South Africa 2017-05-09

R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $100.48 (USD)*

View Report Add to Cart

Table of Contents

[ Close ]
PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
2.1. Industry Supply Chain 2
2.2. Geographic Position 3
3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 4
4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 10
4.1. Local 10
4.1.1. Corporate Actions 12
4.1.2. Regulations & Government Programmes 12
4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 14
4.2. Continental 14
4.3. International 16
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 17
5.1. Economic Environment 17
5.2. Rising Input Costs 17
5.3. Consumer Demand 18
5.4. Animal Disease 19
5.5. Stock Theft and Damage Causing Animals (DCA) 19
5.6. Labour 20
5.7. Land Reform Policy 22
5.8. Government and Commercial Farmer Support for Emerging Farmers 22
5.9. Technology and Information Technology 23
5.10. Environmental Concerns 24
6. COMPETITION 25
6.1. Barriers to Entry 25
6.2. Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 26
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 27
8. OUTLOOK 27
9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 28
10. REFERENCES 29
10.1. Publications 29
10.2. Websites 30