RMIS South Africa
Our Strategy
The red meat industry in South Africa stands at a turning point – with the potential to grow by
over 20% and add more than R12 billion annually to our agricultural GDP by 2030.
But growth like this doesn’t just happen. It takes vision, coordination, and execution.
At RMIS, our strategy
is clear:
We exist to enable and implement the industry’s collective plan for a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive future. Our
mandate supports the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030 which has four strategic focus areas.
A strong strategy needs a strong structure. That’s why the industry is reviewing and refining how we work together – from forums to service delivery models. RMIS plays a central role in enabling this shift.
Talk is not enough. Our strategy is backed by clear interventions with timelines, responsibilities, and funding frameworks. RMIS helps drive these interventions, track impact, and adapt as the industry evolves.
The strategy was written to address 6 high priority
constraints within the industry:
1
Fragmented industry voice
Restrictions in building a unified voice towards government and the broader agricultural sector.
2
Chronic underfinancing
The red meat industry’s statutory levy remains the lowest percentage share across all agricultural sectors.
3
Limited implementation capacity
Many red meat organisations exist, but few carry an actionable mandate.
4
Neglected rural economies
Strategy and implementation towards rural development remain inadequate, despite 40 to 50% of the national herd residing in the informal sector.
5
Incomplete traceability
The Identification and Traceability initiative has not yet been fully implemented.
6
Fragile veterinary infrastructure
Capacity and coordination within State Veterinary Services remain critically limited.
RMIS is the engine room of implementation
Turning strategy into service
Turning plans into action
Turning possibilities into prosperity
Strategic Focus Areas
Animal and public health
We’re working to protect and strengthen the health status of our national herd so South African red meat stays safe, trusted, and export-ready.
- Creating a credible national animal health and meat safety standards
- Support stronger industry veterinary and laboratory capacity and services
- Maintain and regain disease-free status (like Foot-and-Mouth Disease control) to protect access to valuable international markets
- Keep disease control protocols current, and ensure meat safety and quality is maintained at every step of the value chain
- Implemented compartments in the Beef and Sheep sector
Inclusive growth
We want to bring more small-scale and communal farmers into the mainstream red meat.
- Produce 250 000 additional weaner calves targeted from emerging sector over the next 10 years
- Provide tailored support, training, and mentorship to farmers of all scales
- Support communal areas with shared farming infrastructure
- Assist farmers in boosting herd productivity, such as growing the number of breeding females and improving weaning rates, so more calves reach market each year
Market Access
We’re focused on opening up more markets, locally, regionally, and internationally, for South African red meat.
- Roll out a national livestock identification and traceability system
- Help small-scale farmers participate in formal supply chains and export markets
- Develop a clear local and export marketing strategy for red meat
- Build accreditation and compliance systems so producers can trade with confidence
- Grow our share of exports, including into African markets under AfCFTA
Competitiveness and
sustainability
We want a resilient, modern, and globally competitive industry that farms responsibly.
- Introduce an internationally recognised carcass grading system
- Prioritise research and development across the value chain
- Strengthen protection against stock theft, predation, and natural disasters
- Support genetic and breed improvement, and manage natural resources like water and grazing responsibly
