Does foot-and-mouth disease threaten food security in the Western Cape?

Red meat, one of the most nutritionally dense foods, faces a growing threat. Although foot-and-mouth disease (FMD is at a crisis level in other provinces, it has not yet spread to the Western Cape. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture reports that the disease remains under control in the province, despite a brief detection in Gouda in November 2025.

At present, FMD is not directly threatening food security in the Western Cape. However, outbreaks in neighbouring provinces highlight a serious vulnerability in the region’s meat supply, and it cannot be ignored.

Why is this a concern?

Cattle in the Western Cape account for around 3,6% of South Africa’s national herd of roughly 14 million animals. The province is responsible for only 5% of South Africa’s total beef production, the lowest share among the provinces.

Movement restrictions on cattle across the country due to FMD strain the Western Cape’s beef supply. There is not enough local cattle to meet the province’s demand for beef. Future imports by supermarket chains are likely, as they aim to maintain profit margins and keep fridges stocked. If local suppliers can’t keep pace, they may not prioritise long-term sustainability in the domestic market. What implications does this have for the future of livestock farming in the Western Cape?

Despite challenges such as FMD, farmers constantly face rising feed costs, competition from imported products, and drought. All of these pressures interact with disease outbreaks, increasing the Western Cape’s vulnerability to disruptions in meat supply. The Western Cape’s demand for beef exceeds local supply, prompting butchers to source from abattoirs in other provinces, including Gauteng. Although South Africa as a whole produces beef in excess, the Western Cape relies on inter-provincial imports to satisfy consumer demand.

As a resilience and diversification strategy for regional food security, other forms of livestock in the Western Cape warrant greater attention. Sheep farming is well established in the province’s drier, more arid regions, such as the Overberg, Swartland, and Karoo. One practical way to support local farmers is to eat more lamb and mutton.

The Western Cape’s sheep herd is more than four times larger than its cattle herd – a structural advantage for the province. Purchasing half a lamb each month is more cost-effective per kilogram than buying pre-packaged cuts. Additionally, this method helps households secure a steady protein supply for the month. Place an order for lamb, cut to your preferred cuts, at any butcher; you can even order from the butcher in your local supermarket chain.

Whether you prefer beef or lamb, the health and sustainability of livestock farming in the Western Cape directly affect our own health, our economy, and our connection to locally produced food. By consistently allocating a portion of their budgets to locally produced meat, consumers can help strengthen regional production, sustain small and medium farmers, and reduce dependence on cattle from FMD-affected provinces.

FMD itself is not currently a threat to food security in the Western Cape. However, the province’s reliance on cattle from affected regions makes it a real and growing vulnerability. Supporting local livestock production – especially the well-established sheep sector – is one practical way for consumers to help build resilience in the Western Cape’s food system and mitigate future risks to meat supply.