South Africa and Egypt have concluded negotiations on a veterinary health certificate for red-meat exports, but shipments will only proceed once the agreement has been formally signed.
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp made the announcement at the Agri North West Congress on Thursday, 3 September 2026, as South Africa continues to manage the effects of a serious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
“This is a major milestone for South Africa’s agricultural sector, which has been facing one of the biggest foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in decades,” Aucamp said.
He said he had met his team last week and emphasised the importance of securing the agreement for red-meat farmers.
South Africa and Egypt have concluded negotiations on the veterinary health certificate governing red-meat exports, Aucamp said.
The certificate will provide the regulatory framework for South African beef producers and processors seeking access to the Egyptian market.
“Shipments will be cleared to move once the final signatures have been formally appended to the agreement,” he said.
Aucamp thanked the negotiating team and said the government’s role was to support the agricultural sector and expand international market access.
“The outcome of these negotiations was achieved through constructive engagement with the Egyptian veterinary authorities,” he said. “Government remains committed to strengthening international trade relations and expanding market-access opportunities for South Africa’s red-meat sector.”
Egypt deal awaits final signatures
Aucamp said the agreement supported the government’s priorities of inclusive economic growth and job creation, while strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of agriculture.
He said the veterinary health certificate would ensure that animal-health and food-safety requirements were met.
“This is a significant opportunity for South African red-meat producers and processors to expand their operations, diversify export destinations and grow their contribution to the economy,” Aucamp said.
“Every international market South Africa opens creates an opportunity for money to flow back into the rural economy and build commerce along our value chains.”
FMD disruption highlights export risks
Professor Simphiwe Madikizela, a senior lecturer in economics at the University of South Africa’s School of Graduate Business and Leadership, said access to Egypt could help the red-meat industry recover from the disruption caused by FMD.
“FMD has demonstrated just how vulnerable the red-meat industry is when export markets are suddenly closed,” Madikizela said.
South Africa’s beef exports fell by about 26% in 2025, while shipments to China fell by 69% to 1,687 tonnes after restrictions linked to the disease.
“Against that background, opening Egypt is not simply about finding another buyer; it is about diversifying South Africa’s export markets and reducing concentration risk,” Madikizela said.
“If one market closes because of animal-health restrictions, geopolitical developments or changing trade regulations, having several alternative destinations allows producers and exporters to redirect supply and protect revenues.”
Madikizela said Egypt was attractive because of its large population, substantial food market and strategic position in North Africa and the Middle East.
“A successful agreement would therefore give South African producers access not only to Egyptian consumers but potentially strengthen South Africa’s position in a broader regional meat market,” he said.
He added that increased exports could support feedlots, abattoirs, meat processors, transport companies, veterinary services, animal-feed producers and rural employment.
Animal-health controls remain critical
Madikizela said market access would only be valuable if South Africa could maintain it.
“The experience with FMD has taught us that opening markets is one part of the equation; maintaining a credible animal-health system is equally important,” he said.
The government has reported procuring 23 million FMD vaccine doses and vaccinating almost 4.4 million animals, while allocating about R494 million to vaccine procurement and deployment.
“South Africa has also managed to keep several markets open under risk-based arrangements,” Madikizela said.
He said Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Kuwait had maintained access under various conditions, while the government had engaged countries including Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon.
yogashen.pillay@nationalmg.co.za