Article: Burton Keakile
Back in 2020 the government of Botswana decided to allow for the exportation of live cattle. The initiative was first introduced in March 2019 with a view to liberalize the beef sector and discontinue the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) as the country’s sole beef exporter. It was then launched in October 1 to December 30 2020, as a way to see how everything will play out. When the ingenuity began the government indicated that only a maximum of 30 percent of a farmers herd will be allowed for exportation. The initiative was then re-launched again in January 2022 for a period of 2 years to December 31st 2023.
The live export dispensation has been good to farmers, it has created a bit of competition among buyers which offers the farmer a better price. Figures made available by sources indicate how local farmers have cashed in on the relaxation. In the last three months of 2020, live cattle exports went from zero to P447.2 million. In, 2021, the first full year available for the live cattle export, values sold hit P787 million by November.
Since there are private abattoirs in Botswana, it is also beneficial to them since they are now able to sell cattle to neighboring countries. South Africa is said to be the main importer of live cattle from Botswana. The government of Botswana’s authorization of selective live cattle exports in the last few years, at least 205 685 have since been sold to neighboring countries. Of the 205 685 exported since inception, 200 566 (97.5%) were sold to the Republic of South Africa while only 5 119 (2.5%) were sold to the neighbor in the west – Namibia.
As of now reports of the exportation of livestock to other countries shows that a maximum of 971 tollies were exported to South Africa from the Ghanzi team and a total of 562 tollies were exported tom South Africa from the Lobatse group, and then a total of 750 were also exported through the Ramatlabama boarder to South African in December. Farmers were therefore advised to bring their cattle to feedlots so as to allow for better services when the boarders were being opened in January 2023.
