Zimbabwe lifts partial ban on South African cloven-hoofed animal imports

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe has eased restrictions on importing cloven-hoofed animals and their products from specific South African provinces. 

The announcement, made through a notice from Zimbabwe’s Veterinary Services Directorate, stated the ban was partially lifted in January 2025.

According to the directive, the ban removal applies solely to animals and products from Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape, and Western Cape provinces. 

Restrictions on exports from other South African regions remain in place pending further evaluations.

The decision to limit the imports to specific provinces reflects Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a persistent issue in parts of South Africa. 

The Veterinary Services Directorate emphasized that these measures are essential for managing biosecurity risks tied to the outbreak.

Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), acknowledged the significance of addressing animal disease outbreaks that have plagued the livestock sector in recent years. 

Sihlobo pointed out that South Africa’s livestock and poultry industries have been under pressure over the past three years due to recurring disease outbreaks. 

These include FMD in cattle, African swine fever in pigs, and avian influenza in poultry.

“Animal diseases are a global challenge, but the frequency and impact of these outbreaks in South Africa have been more pronounced recently,” he explained.

Data shows that live animals made up a huge portion of Zimbabwe’s livestock imports in 2023, with categories including poultry, bovine animals, horses, swine, sheep, goats, and other animals. 

Key trading partners for animal imports were South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, the Netherlands, and Mozambique.

In 2023, South Africa accounted for 45% of Zimbabwe’s live animal imports, valued at US$7.03 million. 

Zambia followed with a 26% share (US$4.03 million), while the Netherlands contributed 15.4% (US$2.38 million). 

Other import partners included the United Kingdom (US$861,000), Belgium (US$345,000), Namibia (US$194,000), Germany (US$173,000), France (US$140,000), Spain (US$96,000), and Kenya (US$65,000).

Zimbabwe’s imports of bovine meat primarily come from South Africa and Botswana, the country’s reliance on regional trade to meet its livestock product needs.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates

Newer Post

Thumbnail for Zimbabwe lifts partial ban on South African cloven-hoofed animal imports

Brazilian poultry industry sees growth in exports for 2024

Older Post

Thumbnail for Zimbabwe lifts partial ban on South African cloven-hoofed animal imports

Olam Agri signs partnership with GIZ to promote sustainable agriculture