South Africa’s small butchers, meat traders and other SMEs are about to feel the squeeze as pork prices rise. The surge follows outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) at commercial piggeries nationwide.
According to SAPPO, the country slaughters roughly 72,000 pigs per week across formal and informal sectors. Recent outbreaks have resulted in the loss of about 7,000 pigs in the Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and the northeast of Pretoria.
The reduced supply is driving wholesale pork prices up, climbing from R32 per kilogram to R40, with further increases expected.
FNB agricultural economist Paul Makube noted that January inflation data already shows a double-digit year-on-year increase, with pork ribs up 11%, pork fillet up 7%, and pork chops up 13%.
For consumers, this means popular pork items such as ribs, chops, bacon, and sausage will become more expensive, adding to existing cost-of-living pressures from already high beef and protein prices.
Eskort CEO Arnold Prinsloo said the pork market is highly sensitive to even small supply disruptions.
“Even a 2% shortage can drive price increases of around 10%. This is the reality of pork’s price,” he explained.
Impact on small butchers and traders
Small, independent butchers and micro-enterprises that buy wholesale and sell retail are facing tight margins. Many operate on limited cash flow and lack the negotiating power of national supermarket chains, meaning they often absorb price increases longer before passing costs to customers.
Peet Marais, who owns Vleismark butchery in Pretoria North, said he has no choice but to absorb rising costs.
“If I charge more, my customers might not buy from me, and that means my profit is much smaller. We are making less money, but costs keep going up”, he said.
Informal market traders supplying township stalls and roadside vendors are also feeling the pressure.
“If we will now be buying from suppliers at R40 per kg, this means a plate of pork meat also has to go up by maybe R10 for us to make a profit”, said Ebrey Mkansi, a cooked food vendor in Sunnyside of Pretoria.
“Customers are going to complain, but I guess we will have to let them know this reason “
Rising pork costs reduce their margins and might force some customers to switch to cheaper protein options, such as chicken or plant-based alternatives.
Economists warn that unless outbreaks are brought under control, pork supply will remain tight and prices elevated through much of 2026. For SMMEs, this could mean continued financial pressure and the need for creative solutions, such as diversifying product lines.
