By Buziwe Nocuze
- Farmer Mpendulo Ncubekazi says raising livestock costs up to R20,000 monthly for feed, medicine, dip, and insurance, with some farmers paying R10,000 just for insurance.
- Sheep prices have jumped from R1,800 to R2,900 in three years as farmers battle rising costs.
Mpendulo Ncubekazi, a farmer in Cape Town, explained exactly why red meat has become unaffordable for many South Africans.
“The price goes up almost every year because there’s a lot we are doing, including maintenance, and some of us pay insurance companies for our livestock,” said Ncubekazi.
He spends around R20,000 for maintenance a month on his stock, which includes pigs, chickens, and sheep. Some farmers pay less, like R8,000, depending on their operation size.
Insurance is another major cost.
“Insurance can go up to R10,000 depending on where you stay and how many livestock you have,” said Ncubekazi.
Some farmers pay between R1,000 and R3,000 for insurance.
Feeding the animals has become significantly more expensive compared to past years, though Ncubekazi says the costs extend far beyond feed.
“Raising a cow is costly because you first need a structure, medicine, food, and dip. We spend so much money buying everything to raise livestock, and by the time they are ready to be slaughtered, you have already lost so much money,” said Ncubekazi.
The price increases are reflected in what consumers now pay. Two to three years ago, Ncubekazi was selling sheep for R1,800. Now they sell for R2,900.
“Livestock needs care like a baby. You cannot just want to be a farmer and not spend money. No farmer wakes up and decides to raise the price,” said Ncubekazi.
“The issue is that we have to buy a lot of things for customers to get quality meat, which is why it is expensive.”
For workers like a 30-year-old woman at Hungry Lion in Cape Town, these price increases have meant cutting red meat out of her budget completely.
She takes care of her mother and two siblings and buys groceries for R2,000 a month.
“I used to buy red meat, but the price that keeps increasing made me stop buying it. It is small but expensive,” she said.
While Ncubekazi and other farmers battle rising costs to produce quality meat, families like hers are left choosing between red meat and other essentials.
What stewing beef costs today:
According to current prices at major retailers:
- Pick n Pay: R139.99/kg
- Woolworths: R149.99/kg
- Shoprite: R98.99/kg
- Boxer: R129.99/kg
- Checkers: R149.99/kg
Prices accurate as of 12 Novemeber 2025
Pictured above: Red meat is expensive because farmers spend significant money on livestock care, with some also paying insurance.
Image source: Mpendulo Ncubekazi
