DRC deal could offer a lifeline to Red Zone beef

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is emerging as a vital market for Botswana’s beef industry, offering a potential lifeline to cattle farmers in red zone areas such as Ngamiland. This is according to Leonard Morakaladi, a commodity trader at Letsomo Cattle Company and former CEO of the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB). For years, farmers in red zone regions—despite holding large cattle populations—have been excluded from lucrative export markets due to disease-related restrictions and stringent requirements. Historically, Botswana’s beef exports have targeted premium markets like the European Union (EU), which enforces rigorous standards that often exclude red zone producers. While the EU market, primarily supplied by green zone farmers, offers prices of up to P51 per kilogram, red zone beef typically fetches only P35 per kilogram domestically or in less selective markets. Frequent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Ngamiland—exacerbated by its proximity to African buffalo, a known FMD carrier—have long branded the region’s beef as “red zone,” cutting off access to high-value international markets, despite the meat being safe after quarantine. Morakaladi said the new $4 million export deal with the DRC could be a turning point. The agreement includes products such as stewed steak with gravy, corned meat, and pet food, with the first shipment already delivered. The deal is part of a long-term strategy to re-establish Botswana’s presence in the DRC, a market it previously served. In 2023, the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) exported over 162 tonnes of frozen boneless beef from Maun, Ngamiland, and Batawana abattoirs to the DRC, demonstrating the region’s potential. The deal is also expected to help revive the struggling state-owned BMC, which aims to generate P1 billion in revenue by year-end. Unlike the EU, which restricts imports to green zone beef, the DRC accepts meat from both red and green zones—offering broader access to farmers. “The DRC market encompasses all, including both red and green zones. This means all farmers, regardless of where they rear their cattle, would have an opportunity to participate,” Morakaladi said in a recent BTV interview. The DRC’s appetite for canned products like corned beef and stewed steak presents additional opportunities for farmers whose cattle may not meet premium grading standards. Unlike markets that focus only on high-grade cuts, the DRC will accept a wider range of products, including offal and organ meats. “There is no pass or condemnation here; everyone benefits because the DRC wants the whole cow, from head to tail,” Morakaladi said. He added that this flexibility allows even small-scale farmers to participate, as their cattle can be processed into value-added products. To fully harness the opportunity, Morakaladi suggested segmenting the beef sector. He proposed that small-scale farmers form collectives to meet the volume needs of African markets, while large commercial farmers continue to target premium markets such as the EU. The BMC is also pursuing export opportunities in other African countries, including Ghana, Angola, and Nigeria. He noted that the DRC deal is expected to stimulate the broader beef value chain, with the private sector playing a crucial role, especially in logistics. The DRC, with a population exceeding 100 million, relies heavily on imports and presents a major opportunity for Botswana to scale up beef production and exports. Morakaladi emphasised that it is now up to local farmers to meet the quality and quantity demands. The government, he said, can only facilitate the process. Challenges remain. Morakaladi pointed to the country’s declining national cattle herd, which has dropped from 3 million to approximately 1.1 million—a crisis recently acknowledged by President Duma Boko. “The DRC is a huge market, and unless we act on it, the cattle population, as it currently stands, will not be able to fulfil and service this market satisfactorily,” he said. He cited several contributing factors, including recurring FMD outbreaks, climate change affecting rangelands, increased land allocation for domestic use, and the deterioration of extension services. A reduction in access to government-provided vaccines has also led to rising cases of diseases like heartwater and tick infestations. Reproductive health issues in cattle have further reduced birthing rates, shrinking the herd. “In areas like Ngamiland, cattle numbers dropped simply because there was no market access,” Morakaladi said. President Boko has called the declining cattle population a national crisis, warning that without intervention, Botswana could become a net beef importer within three years. He has pledged to consult experts and announce new policies aimed at growing the national herd to five million. Morakaladi called for improved extension services, citing Kenya’s success in livestock management as a model supported by strong government extension programs. “Extension services should be given top priority, and hopefully, the government will be proactive on this,” he said. Despite the challenges, the DRC deal offers renewed hope. With access to new markets, Morakaladi said farmers can reinvest in their herds, encouraged by the knowledge that there is a guaranteed buyer for their cattle. He stressed that the market has always existed but was dominated by the private sector, limiting participation. The BMC’s re-entry ensures that farmers, whether they own one cow or 10,000, can take part. “We are just waiting for BMC to involve farmers and say, let us come together to service this market,” he said.

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DRC deal could offer a lifeline to Red Zone beef

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