South Africa to launch local foot-and-mouth disease vaccine facility by 2026

SOUTH AFRICA – The South African government is moving to strengthen its defences against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) with the establishment of a local vaccine production facility, expected to be operational by 2026. 

The initiative, led by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), is seen as a strategic move to reduce dependence on imported vaccines and boost national preparedness amid recurring outbreaks.

The ARC confirmed that groundwork for the facility is underway, including procurement of production equipment and readiness of a registered vaccine tailored to the specific FMD strains affecting South Africa and its neighbouring countries.

“This facility will allow us to respond faster and more effectively to outbreaks, especially in areas hardest hit by repeated infections,” said Litha Magingxa, CEO of the ARC, in an interview with Farmer’s Weekly on July 22. 

“We are targeting all the strains currently circulating in South Africa and the broader southern African region.”

Escalating outbreaks and rising costs

The move comes at a time when the country is grappling with multiple flare-ups of the highly contagious virus, which affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep. 

Since May 2025, South Africa has recorded 39 new cases, with Gauteng province accounting for 32 of them. The cumulative number of outbreaks has now reached 249 since 2021, according to the Department of Agriculture’s latest Animal Health Assessment Report.

In response to the latest wave of infections, the government has already spent over US$4.1 million (72 million rand) to import approximately 900,000 doses of FMD vaccine. 

However, reliance on external suppliers has exposed the country to supply chain delays, limited availability, and inflated prices, challenges that the new local facility aims to overcome.

Until the domestic plant is fully operational, imported vaccines will remain South Africa’s primary line of defence. 

“These plans are not only about responding to outbreaks, but also about building permanent infrastructure to manage future risks,” stated the agriculture ministry.

National Indaba charts long-term path

From July 21–22, government officials, veterinary experts, academics, and livestock industry leaders gathered in Roodeplaat for a national Indaba convened to confront the FMD crisis and map out sustainable control strategies. 

The event, hosted by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa, came amid outbreaks reported in five provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo.

Key topics included ramping up farm-level biosecurity, rolling out targeted vaccinations, and enforcing livestock movement restrictions.

“The Indaba presents a vital opportunity to unite expertise and resources to eradicate this devastating disease effectively,” said the Department of Agriculture. It also stressed the need for cross-sector collaboration in developing lasting solutions.

Economic and trade fallout

Foot-and-mouth disease has already inflicted significant damage on South Africa’s livestock economy, which accounts for 41% of agricultural GDP and supports over 500,000 people. 

Karan Beef, the country’s largest feedlot, was forced to quarantine its Heidelberg facility last month after confirming an outbreak. The site processes about 2,000 cattle per day, and its lockdown is expected to disrupt beef supply chains.

Trade relations have also taken a hit. Several countries, including China, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, have imposed temporary bans on South African beef and related products due to FMD risks. Producers are now urging the government to declare a state of disaster to unlock additional resources and support.

Compounding the crisis is the livestock sector’s fragile recovery from the avian influenza outbreak of 2023, which wiped out nearly a third of the nation’s poultry stock.

Globally, foot-and-mouth disease remains one of the most serious transboundary animal diseases. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health notes that outbreaks not only reduce productivity and food security but also disrupt international trade, necessitating early detection, targeted vaccination, and coordinated response mechanisms.

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