Demand helps red meat ride out dollar dip

SMEs and consumers feeling the heat over red meat prices

By Azwidohwi Mamphiswana Red meat lovers across South Africa are feeling the heat — not from the grill, but from the butcher’s bill. Beef and lamb prices have surged in recent months, leaving price-sensitive consumers tightening their grocery budgets and farmers questioning the sustainability of their operations. Prices have risen sharply in 2025, placing pressure on both ends of the supply chain — from struggling farmers and butchers to househo…

Demand helps red meat ride out dollar dip

Reading Time: 3 minutes It takes a team article embed form Support the work we do By becoming a supporter, you'll help us continue doing what we do best. Learn more A shortage of stock is underpinning high meat prices, with prime lambs inching towards $9/kg and stores nudging $4.50/kg and above. Farmgate prices for prime lamb and beef are about $2/kg higher than a year ago, despite global trade uncertainty, the tit-for-tat imposition of tar…