Livestock Markets in Rural Eastern Cape: Challenges and Opportunities for Cattle Sellers and Buyers at MNP Mobile Auctions

F.M. Mothupi

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2025/v53n5a21119

Authors

F.M. Mothupi Institute of Social and Economic Research- Rhodes University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8383-1106

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2025/v53n5a21119

Keywords:

Cattle Production, Market access, Mobile auctions

Abstract

Livestock production is a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and a vital source of livelihood for many households in South Africa’s rural areas. Despite the Eastern Cape having the highest cattle population in South Africa, it remains one of the country's lowest (6%) beef-producing provinces. This paper aims to evaluate mobile cattle auctions as a means to enhance cattle production and market access for rural farmers in the Eastern Cape. A structured questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 63 cattle sellers participating in four mobile livestock auctions (Mabua, Makhoba, Mafube, and Chevy Chase) between March and June 2023, and three semi-structured interviews with buyers at the Mabua auction. The results show that a total sum of R675,900 was received for the sale of cattle in these auctions, with an average of 2.27 ± 1.60 cattle sold per participant, generating an average price of R10,728 per sale for each seller. Most of the farmers (63.5%) were not happy with the prices they received for their cattle, citing low animal weight (28.2%), not knowing (17.9%), animal gender (bull) (17.9%), and low number of buyers at the auctions (12.8%) as the reasons. Buyers raised concerns about the poor state of roads and the lack of infrastructure, which hinders the drive to the auction villages. Local extension services could majorly address cattle production challenges, such as feeding, vaccinations, and theft. Auction organisers could better inform farmers of the expected market prices to minimise low participation among farmers and reduce buyers' costs. Local economic policies could prioritise auction locations as key areas for infrastructure projects and cattle production support programmes in the immediate future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

BAQWA, M., SWANEPOEL, E. & VENTER, M., 2022. Challenges affecting Mzongwana cattle farmers to commercialise livestock production in Eastern Cape, from a local economic development perspective. Afr. Public Serv Del & Perf Rev., 10(1): 1–10.

BROWN, K., AINSLIE, A. & BEINART, W., 2013. Animal disease and the limits of local knowledge: Dealing with ticks and tick-borne diseases in South Africa. J. R. Anthropol. Inst., 19: 319–337.

COETZEE, L., MONTSHWE, B.D. & JOOSTE, A., 2005. The marketing of livestock on communal lands in the Eastern Cape Province: Constraints, challenges, and implications for the extension services. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 34(1): 81-103.

COGTA., 2017. The 2017–2022 National framework for local economic development. Pretoria: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES (DAFF)., 2012. Animal production. Available from http://www.daff.gov.za/daffweb3/Branches/Agricultural-Production-Health-Food-Safety/Animal-Production/Livestock-Production.

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FISHERIES (DAFF)., 2017. Abstract of Agricultural Statistics 2017. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Pretoria: Directorate of Statistics and Economic Analysis.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DALRRD)., 2023. Newsletter: National Livestock Statistics. Available from https://old.dalrrd.gov.za/Portals/0/Statistics%20and%20Economic%20Analysis/Statistical%20Information/LIVESTOCK%20NEWSLETTER%20FEB%202023.pdf.

ERDAW, M.M., 2023. Contribution, prospects and trends of livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review. Int J. Agri Sustain., 21(1): 2247776.

ERS., 2016. Sustainability model for supplying meat naturally. Environmental Rural Solutions. Available from https://umzimvubu.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/meat-naturally-sustainability-model-final-31102016.pdf.

EYASMIN, F. & GHOSH, B.C., 2024. Analyzing the determinants of beef cattle commercialization and its market inefficiency: A case study of Pabnadistrict, Bangladesh. PLoS ONE., 19(3): e0300034.

GONI, S., SKENJANA, A. & NYANGIWE, N., 2018. The status of livestock production in communal farming areas of the Eastern Cape: A case of Majali Community, Pelton. Appl Animal Husb & Rural Dev., 11: 34-40.

GUSHA, B. & PALMER, A.R., 2024. Evaluating the contribution of livestock to household livelihoods in the communal rangelands of the North Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Appl. Anim. Husb & Rural Dev., 17: 1-11.

GWIRIRI, L.C., BENNET, J.E., MAPIYE, C., MARANDURE, T. & BURBI, S., 2019. Constraints to the sustainability of a “systematised” approach to livestock marketing amongst smallholder cattle producers in South Africa. Int. J. Agric. Sustain., 17(2): 189-204.

KAPPES, A., TOZOONEYI, T. & SHAKIL, G., 2023. Livestock health and disease economics: A scoping review of selected literature. Front in Vet Sci., 10: 1–15.

KATIKATI, A. & FOURIE, P.J., 2019. Improving management practices of emerging cattle farmers in selected areas of the Eastern Cape province: The role of agricultural extension. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 47(1): 97–102.

MALUSI, N., FALOWO, A.B. & IDAMOKORO, E.M. 2021., Herd dynamics, production and marketing constraints in the commercialisation of cattle across Nguni cattle project beneficiaries in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Pastoralism., 11(1): 1–12.

MAPIYE, C., CHIMONYO, M. & DZAMA, K., 2009. Seasonal dynamics, production potential and efficiency of cattle in the sweet and sour communal rangelands in South Africa. J. Arid Environ., 73(4-5): 529-536.

MBATHA, C.N., 2021. Livestock production and marketing for small emerging farmers in South Africa and Kenya: Comparative lessons. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 49(1): 141-161.

MEAT NATURALLY PTY (MNP)., 2019. About us. Available from https://www.meatnaturallyafrica.com/about/.

MUCINA, L. & RUTHERFORD, M.C., 2006. Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute.

MUSEMWA, L., MUSHUNJE, A., CHIMONYO, M. & MAPIYE, C., 2010. Low cattle market off-take rates in communal production systems of South Africa: Causes and mitigation strategies. J. Sust. Dev. Afr., 12(5): 209–226.

MWACALIMBA, K., KIMELI, P., TIERNAN, R., MIJTEN, E., MIROSHNYCHENKO, T. & POULSEN NAUTRUP, B., 2025. Diseases of economic importance in feedlot cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review with a focus on existing and potential options for control. Animals., 15(1): 1–24.

NATIONAL LIVESTOCK STATISTICS (NLS)., 2017. National Department of Agriculture. Pretoria, South Africa.

NDORO, J.T., MUDHARA, M. & CHIMONYO, M., 2015. Farmers’ choice of cattle marketing channels under transaction cost in rural SA: A multinomial logit model. Afr J. Range & Forage Sci., 32(4): 243-252.

RADOLF, M., WURZINGER, M. & GUTI´ERREZ, G., 2022. Livelihood and production strategies of livestock keepers and their perceptions on climate change in the central Peruvian Andes. Small Ruminant Res., 215: 106763.

SCHMIDT, M.I., 1992. The relationship between cattle and savings: A cattle-owner perspective. Dev. South. Afr., 9(4): 433–444.

SHACKLETON, C. & NTSHUDU, M., 2023. Declines in livestock numbers accompany cropping deagrarianisation processes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Land., 12: 1735.

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI)., 2018. The vegetation map of South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.

STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA., 2022. Agricultural Households. Available from https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/Report-03-11-01/Report-03-11-012022.pdf.

TWINE, W., 2013. Multiple strategies for resilient livelihoods in communal areas of South Africa. Afr. J. Range and Forage Sci., 30(1–2): 39–43.