Chapter 4 – Livestock market dynamics
Pork prices surged to record highs during the first quarter of 2026 as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever-related restrictions disrupted the movement of animals and constrained slaughter throughput. Despite sufficient production capacity, these disruptions temporarily tightened supplies and pushed porker and baconer prices to around R40/kg. As domestic production recovered, prices gradually moderated. A key development was the revised Section 9 framework, which introduced a more practical approach to disease management, supporting supply chain continuity while maintaining effective biosecurity controls.
Pork prices surged to record highs amid disease-related supply disruptions
before returning to pre-outbreak levels.
Figure 4
Source: Absa AgriBusiness, 2026
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