Botswana’s cattle farmers are facing deepening financial strain as the continued closure of the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) plant, triggered by a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, disrupts exports and depresses domestic cattle prices.
The Botswana National Beef Producers Union (BNBPU) says producers have been left with few marketing options following the suspension of exports and tight livestock movement controls. With limited access to formal slaughter facilities, farmers are increasingly reliant on local buyers, a situation the union says has weakened their bargaining power.
‘Farmers invest heavily in their livestock,’ said union representative Setletso. ‘Offering very low prices in these circumstances is unfair and exploitative.’
Government revised FMD movement restrictions effective February 17 to contain the outbreak. Movement of live cloven-hoofed animals remains prohibited into and out of Zone 7, except for direct slaughter within the zone. Zones 3b, 3c, 6a and 6b remain under strict controls, with fresh meat transit allowed only under veterinary permits and sealed transport.
The situation has been compounded by the United Kingdom’s temporary suspension of fresh bovine meat imports from Botswana. UK authorities imposed restrictions on beef processed on or after December 30, 2025, following confirmation of an outbreak in Zone 6b and suspected cases in Zone 3c.
The UK is a key premium export destination for Botswana’s beef industry, and the suspension narrows already constrained market access.
Farmers remain hopeful that vaccination and containment measures will allow BMC operations to resume. Until then, the sector faces sustained pressure, with livelihoods across the cattle value chain increasingly vulnerable to prolonged market disruption.