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14 December 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs
Dr FA Mare
Dr Frikkie Maré believes lucrative trade opportunities do exist for the South African red-meat industry that is thinking about exporting to international markets.
Dr Frikkie Maré, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State (UFS), says lucrative trade opportunities do exist for the South African red-meat industry that is thinking about exporting to international markets.

He, however, believes that there are some important aspects that red-meat producers should consider in order to fully benefit from these opportunities. There are also a number of requirements that producers must identify and then consistently meet in order not to incur considerable financial losses.

Dr Maré, who has in-depth knowledge of the red-meat value chain, delivered a presentation at the 2020 LRF Stockman School, speaking about international markets and international market requirements.

An exporter’s knowledge and understanding of the red-meat trade in terms of fresh and frozen products is important. Dr Maré says that although South Africa is a net importer of bovine meat, there is still opportunity to increase our export thereof, as our high-quality meat is in demand; we can make up the difference by importing meat of lower quality. “With the oversupply of bovine meat, it will also make sense to increase the export of bovine meat,” he says.

Making it profitable

Red-meat producers need to know why they want to export. Dr Maré says that export markets can offer price premiums compared to the less attractive prices received in a domestic market. “However, it is key for red-meat exporters in South Africa to differentiate between working to export to targeted premium-priced markets versus getting rid of excess production.”

“The national animal health status, due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, does however limit our access to premium-priced markets,” he adds.

It is also important for products to be competitive in terms of either price or quality, and Dr Maré believes that South Africa can be very competitive if one looks at our average red-meat prices compared to the premium-priced export markets, of which some borders are closed to red-meat exports from South Africa. “In countries where the borders are open to export from South Africa, there is an opportunity to sell our red meat at a premium if the quality is better than consumers in those countries are used to. Still, quality and availability must be consistent and reliable if we want to export to these countries,” says Dr Maré.

When considering export, the type of product required by an export market needs to be given thought. These markets are particular about whether the meat is from grain- or grass-fed animals, the fat content of the meat, whether it is safe to eat, whether it was produced conventionally, naturally, or organically, and whether the meat should arrive frozen or chilled.

The market and your product

Dr Maré states that South African exporters of red meat can learn a lot from the Australian red-meat industry in terms of using packaging to differentiate their products from others. “If South Africa starts doing the same with the packaging of its red-meat exports, these products will start to be perceived as special by consumers in export markets, who may then be prepared to pay more for them as a result,” he says.

For both beef and mutton, international consumers indicated the importance of packaging information featuring a picture of what type of animal the meat came from, including the price per kilogram, price per pack, whether or not the meat is naturally produced, whether or not it has a quality grading/product guarantee, and the colour of the meat.

“Constant market research ensures that Australia’s red-meat exports are exactly what consumers in these countries want and can afford. This research also keeps Australia’s red-meat industry informed of whether or not it is profitable for the industry to keep exporting to a particular country,” he says.

In terms of market research, data on aspects such as the population, household number by disposable income, meat consumption per capita, and the amount spend on groceries, is also valuable.

For example, it was found that in Japan, consumers buy according to their family’s preferences, what they find easy to prepare, what they believe are healthy for their children, and what they can use in a number of different meals.

Relationship with your buyer

“It is vital for exporters in the South African red-meat industry to gain the trust of trade partners in the export market, and to understand – and meet – the needs of consumers in that particular market,” says Dr Maré.

Additionally, Dr Maré is convinced that good relationships between the South African producers, government, and the governments of our red-meat export markets are crucial to sustain exports. “To assure these governments of the safety of our red-meat products, the South African government and red-meat sector must work together and improve on-farm and national biosecurity. Implementing an effective and efficient traceability system in our country’s national and international red-meat value chain is also needed,” he says.

Dr Maré says that whatever actions is taken by an exporter in the red-meat industry, it needs to be sustainable. “Should you fail, you will hurt the industry.”

News Archive

Conference: Expanded ARV treatment
2005-03-02

VENUE: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
DATE: 30 March 2005 - 1 April 2005

  • ARV Programme as on 24Feb Download Word document
     
  • Programme Special events Download Word document


    Official web site www.fshealth.gov.za/subsites/arvc

     


    Rationale for the Conference
    At the time of the planned Conference, much ground would have been covered, both in the Free State and in South Africa, in respect of the expanded public sector ARV treatment programme in respect of research, experiences in practice, training of staff, treatment of patients, lessons learned, successes and failures, etc. The time would then be quite opportune to share these in a systematic manner with other provinces and countries, as well as with the large variety of stakeholders and role players in the ARV and related domains, be they academics and researchers, policy makers and service/facility managers, the variety of caregivers, and the community organisations and affected patients.

The Conference and current research
The proposed Conference is, firstly, directly linked to the current research on the public sector roll-out of ARV treatment in the Free State conducted by several research institutions (e.g. CIET, CHSR&D, UCT Lung Institute). Secondly, the Conference could and would serve as a forum for other research groups in the country and further a field to report and share knowledge and experiences on ARV treatment and related initiatives. Lastly, the Conference will stage a golden opportunity for researchers and scientists, on the one hand, and policy makers, managers, and caregivers (as knowledge users), on the other hand, to engage in cross-disciplinary discourse on this mutual and topical theme.

Theme of Conference
Expanded ARV treatment in the Free State: sharing experiences

Focus
The focus is primarily on public sector ARV treatment in the Free State, but also initiatives/activities/perspectives of relevance to the Free State elsewhere in the country at large and further a field, as well as relevant ARV initiatives in the public, private, NGO and FBO sectors. Bear in mind, however, that ARV treatment is but part of a much more comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS. The Conference will, therefore, not narrowly focus on the ARV treatment programme only. The broader context, other relevant dimensions, and a comprehensive approach to the challenges of HIV, AIDS and TB are of equal importance.

The purpose of the Conference
Enhance meaningful exchange, mutual understanding and collaboration among researchers, scientists, policy makers, managers and practitioners in the field of ARV treatment and related fields.

Share experiences in the various spheres of ARV treatment and related spheres (policy, management, practice, research, training, public-private-civil society sectors).

Record, reflect and report on the establishment of the ARV treatment programme in the Free State, and in within the context of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme.

Disseminate important research results on ARV treatment and related themes to health policy makers, managers, practitioners, communities and to the research community.

Stimulate discourse among various disciplines and various stakeholders/role players involved in ARV treatment and related programmes.

Sensitise and acquaint researchers to the requirements of policy makers, managers and practitioners in respect of ARV treatment and related fields.

Facilitate the implementation of research results in ARV treatment policy, programmes and practice.

Dissemination of Conference-related information
Information generated during the Conference could feed into policy, management and practice of ARV treatment, the training accompanying such programme, and the existing body of knowledge. After the Conference the information will be disseminated via the Internet and by scientific and popular publications.

Date and duration
Set for 30 & 31 March & 1 April 2005; to commence at 09:00 on the first day (30 March) and to end at 16:30 (1 April) the third day.

Format and scope of Conference
Alternating plenary, parallel sessions and debates focused on topical issues and interest groups. The Conference will strive to be maximally interactive and participative.

Themes and topics to cover:

  • Policy, management and health services/practice (various levels and contexts – clinical treatment, information, IT systems, pharmacy, laboratories, nutrition)
     
  • Research covering all relevant disciplines and diverse dimensions of ARV treatment and related themes
  • Training and evaluation of training
  • Patients, communities and civil society organisations
  • Public, private, NGO, FBO initiatives and partnerships

Emphasis will be on the Free State, however, with of significant involvement from other provinces, SADC countries, and countries further a field. The thrust will be to export lessons and experiences from the Free State, but also to import lessons and experiences from other provinces, countries and sectors.

Presenters
Key presenters from the Free State, other provinces, South Africa, from the private, FBO and NGO sectors, and from several other countries

Delegates
About half of the delegates will be Free State stakeholders and role players (all levels and all contexts). The other half will be role players and stakeholders in the ARV and related fields from other provinces, the national level, and other countries, as well as from the private, public and non-governmental sectors.

Focused workshops
Provision will be made for half-a-day or one-day workshop initiatives on the third day (1 April 2005).

Enquiries
For more information please contact:

Prof Dingie van Rensburg
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloenfontein
SOUTH AFRICA
9300

Contact:
Carin van Vuuren
Conference Organiser
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
P.O.Box 339
Bloemfontein
South Africa
9300
Tel +27 (0) 51 401 2181
Fax +27 (0) 51 4480370
Cell 0832932890
e-mail: arvconference.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za

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