Zambia shuts border to South African livestock as foot‑and‑mouth crisis deepens

ZAMBIA – Zambia has closed its border to South African cattle in a rapid biosecurity measure amid an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affecting around 24,400 livestock cases across seven provinces as of mid‑February 2026.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the immediate suspension of all livestock import permits from South Africa in a press statement issued on February 14, 2026, extending the restrictions to cloven‑hoofed animals, livestock feed, trophies, skins, hides, and dairy products.

“Issuance of permits for the importation of cloven-hoofed animal products from South Africa has been suspended unless strict mitigation measures are undertaken in accordance with the conditions provided for in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of 2025,” he said in a statement.

However, he said that the measures will be reviewed depending on the progression of the disease outbreak in South Africa.

This comes after the President of South Africa declared the foot-and-mouth crisis a national disaster last week, acknowledging it is among the worst outbreaks the country has experienced. 

The president said the disease has now spread to seven of nine provinces, and he established a task team of farmers and experts to report monthly on progress.

To contain the disease, South Africa plans to vaccinate 14 million cattle over the next year using 28 million doses.

Although the country has recently resumed domestic vaccine production after a 20‑year hiatus, officials admit this will not be sufficient. Additional supplies are being imported from Botswana, Türkiye, and Argentina.

Beyond the ban

The outbreak has already battered South Africa’s beef industry, with exports to China plunging 69% last year after Beijing imposed an import ban. Overall, beef exports fell 26% in 2025, underscoring the scale of the crisis.

Other neighbouring states have tightened veterinary checks, though Zambia remains the only Southern African country to formally close its border. Analysts warn that further restrictions from Middle Eastern buyers, traditionally strong markets for South African beef, could deepen the industry’s woes.

The disease has triggered widespread culling and limited slaughter access, leading to pork shortages and tightening supply chains. Experts caution that this will push meat prices higher and create a constrained outlook for 2026, with ripple effects across regional food security and trade.

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