What is driving up the price of beef?
The Money Show talks to an agricultural economist about the spike in the price of local beef cuts.
Steaks on the grill, barbecue, braai. Pixabay/
Jane Dutton - in for The Money Show's Stephen Grootes, talks to agricultural economist Thabile Nkunjana.
Have you noticed an increase in the prices of red meat at your local supermarket or butcher?
Beef is becoming more expensive due to a shortage of slaughter-ready cattle, caused by a few key factors.
Feed costs have jumped as a result of unfavourable weather conditions - heavy rains are affecting grain crops in parts of the country, after drought conditions cut production last year.
"We usually do see a decline in commercial livestock early in the year because farmers are coming from a higher slaughtering number for the festive season... but this is being exacerbated now."
Thabile Nkunjana, Agricultural Economist
"Grains are a key component for the sector.. We had the drought, and now heavy rains... The higher cost of feed is going to limit some of the farmers in bringing their animals to abattoirs because they're not ready for market."
Thabile Nkunjana, Agricultural Economist
Reassuringly, Red Meat Industry Services' Dewald Olivier told Channel Africa that there isn't actually a shortage of beef but 'just a temporary tightening of supply'.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview with Nkunjana