Eswatini’s feedlot sector is under severe pressure following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), with government revealing that there has been a 65.75% decrease in operational feedlots compared to the total number of registered feedlots.
Speaking at the Feedlot Indaba 2026 held at The George Hotel in Manzini, Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka highlighted the scale of the crisis, describing FMD as “the latest and heaviest blow” to the industry.
Out of 619 registered feedlots nationwide, only 212 are currently operational, signalling a sharp decline in activity across the sector.
The Minister noted that the downturn did not begin with FMD alone. Longstanding challenges such as high feed costs, limited access to quality livestock, and restricted financing had already weakened the industry.
However, the disease has significantly worsened conditions, disrupting production systems, eroding investor confidence, and threatening livelihoods.
FMD has also impacted farmers’ ability to access loans, as financial institutions remain cautious due to the risks associated with the disease. At the same time, movement restrictions and biosecurity measures have constrained trade and operations, further slowing recovery.
Despite these setbacks, Tshawuka stressed that feedlotting remains a critical component of Eswatini’s agricultural economy.
The sector plays a key role in value addition, improving meat quality for export markets, generating foreign currency, and creating employment opportunities.
Government has implemented several interventions to contain the outbreak and stabilise the sector. These include nationwide vaccination programmes, strengthened border controls to curb the spread of the disease, and the introduction of stricter standard operating procedures. The Minister also raised concerns over ongoing challenges such as vandalism of veterinary fences and non-compliance with animal movement regulations, warning that these actions undermine national efforts.
“We will only overcome this challenge through cooperation,” Tshawuka said, urging farmers and communities to adhere to biosecurity measures.
The Feedlot Indaba brought together key stakeholders to share experiences, identify solutions, and develop a roadmap for revitalising the sector. The gathering forms part of the broader Eswatini Livestock Value Chain Development Programme, supported by the European Union.
Tshawuka called on participants to actively engage in discussions and contribute to building a more resilient and competitive feedlot industry. He emphasised that collaboration between government, farmers, financial institutions, and development partners will be essential in restoring confidence and driving recovery. As Eswatini navigates the FMD crisis, the future of the feedlot sector will depend on decisive action, stronger compliance, and sustained investment in rebuilding the livestock value chain.