Russia has $0.3-0.5 mln potential for beef shipments to South Africa through 2030 - Agroexport
MOSCOW. April 24 (Interfax) - The potential for the supply of beef and offal from Russia to South Africa through 2030 is estimated at $0.3-0.5 million, a review by analysts from the Russian Agriculture Ministry's Agroexport Center said.
The main competitors for Russian products in this market are the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Russian has just started preparing to export beef to South Africa.
In the review, Assistant Head of Rosselkhoznadzor Artem Daushev says that, in order for Russian livestock products, including beef, to gain access to the South African market, the agency fills out regular procedural questionnaires, in particular, regarding the risks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (also known as "mad cow disease"). In addition, the agency expects to receive veterinary and sanitary requirements from its South African colleagues in order to export various types of livestock products, including beef, to South Africa.
"We hope the process of gaining access for Russian suppliers to the South African market will be successfully completed, and a wide range of meat products will be made available to South African consumers," he said.
In addition, a veterinary certificate has now been agreed upon for the export of wet and dry-salted cattle hides from Russia to South Africa, Daushev said.
South Africa imported 36,600 tonnes of beef worth $48.1 million in 2023. Supplies increased 8.5% (2,900 tonnes) in volume terms versus 2022, while decreasing 11.6% ($6.3 million) in value terms, the review said.
Frozen offal remains the mainstay of beef imports into South Africa, accounting for 93.5% of supplies in volume terms (34,200 tonnes) and 87.3% in value terms ($42 million) in 2023. In addition, South Africa purchases cattle cuts from foreign markets (6.4%, or 2,300 tonnes) and a small amount of carcasses and half-carcasses, which are mainly supplied frozen.
Russia's main beef producers are the Miratorg agricultural holding, as well as the Zarechnoye and Orenbiv companies.