Egypt market opens opportunities for South African red meat producers
The veterinary agreement establishes export requirements for South African red meat shipments to Egypt, with final signatures needed before trade can begin.
SOUTH AFRICA – South African red meat producers are set to gain access to Egypt’s large consumer market after South Africa and Egypt concluded negotiations on veterinary requirements governing red meat exports.
The agreement gives producers and processors another export destination as the sector faces one of South Africa’s biggest Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks in decades. It provides a regulatory framework for shipments once final signatures are appended to the Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC).
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp announced the development at the recent Agri North West Congress, describing it as an important step for the agricultural sector.
“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.
South Africa and Egypt have concluded negotiations on the VHC governing red meat exports from South Africa to Egypt. According to the Minister, shipments can be cleared once the final signatures have been added to the agreement.
Aucamp said he stressed the need to conclude the negotiations quickly because new export markets are important to red meat farmers.
The Minister thanked the negotiating team for its work and said government should support the agricultural sector rather than create unnecessary barriers.
“The outcome of these negotiations was achieved through constructive engagement with the Egyptian veterinary authorities. Government remains committed to strengthening international trade relations and expanding market access opportunities for South Africa’s red meat sector,” Aucamp said.
The finalisation of the VHC establishes veterinary requirements for South African red meat exporters seeking access to Egypt while providing for animal health and food safety requirements.
Aucamp said the development supports government’s priorities of inclusive economic growth and job creation and could strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
“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,” Aucamp said.
The announcement follows an extension granted to South African farms and feedlots supplying livestock for red meat exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Aucamp previously extended the deadline for farms and feedlots to complete mandatory registration under Veterinary Procedural Notice 59 (VPN-59) to Dec. 31, 2026.
The extension was intended to give producers additional time to meet registration requirements while supporting continued access to the UAE market.
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