In what could be a potential game changer, the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) has secured a lucrative $4million deal to export beef to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Although not yet officially announced, this publication can reveal that the forged agreement to commence beef exports is anticipated to alter the landscape in favour of the now-struggling BMC. According to reliable sources, each consignment is estimated to be valued at approximately $4 million. Sources note that the deal is expected to revive the beef industry, which has been on a downfall in previous years. According to sources, the deal will see the BMC increase its exports volumes to the DRC compared to previously. In 2023, media reports noted that the country exported over 160 tonnes of beef to DRC. This was from different districts across Botswana. Thus, sources say the new deal could prove to be just what the doctor ordered for BMC, signalling renewed hope for the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) located in Lobatse.
BITC targets entire value chain
The investment aligns well with Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) aggressive push for a revival of the entire beef sector value chain. According to the BITC investor fact sheet dubbed “investment opportunities in the beef and beef derivatives” beef farming bears potential for being an economic game changer. “Botswana beef production is more of a tradition and art. It is the largest component of the agri-food system in the country and constitutes 80% of agriculture exports, while agriculture contributes about 3% to GDP in real terms and low value added to GDP,” reads the data.
According to the BITC data, the country has a large cattle population of about 2.5 million, 80% in communal and 20% in farm lands. BITC noted that there was opportunity in the beef industry which remained untapped. “Our beef has distinct advantages in that it is primarily grazed in natural pastures and there is no use of artificial growth stimulants or hormones. Our beef is therefore renowned for exceptional quality and taste at home and internationally.”
BITC stated that the Botswana Beef Sector presents multiple opportunities under primary production and processing specifically for value addition. As per the data, such opportunities range from production, processing through to marketing of beef and beef derivatives.
“It is important to note that the significant import substitution and productivity gains are possible with long-term export focus and that there are currently few local players in this industry,” notes BITC.
To attract investment in the beef sector, BITC highlighted that the Botswana government had availed specific incentives for existing investors in this sector. Some of these are: Availability of subsidized prices on production inputs, including animal feeds & licks, veterinary drugs and vaccines at Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Livestock Advisory Centres (LACs) now through BAMB, Government’s subsidised artificial insemination program to improve characteristics of animal breeds, production performance, Provision of public veterinary services, and others.
Cattle population
Consequently, the new BMC could help trigger immense growth for a sector which proved to be a national cornerstone pre-independence. This is captured in a recently published research paper by Matopose, G., Joshi, N.P., & Manatsha B.T. (2025) titled “Agricultural production, its challenges and state intervention in Botswana: a historical perspective.” According to the academic paper, beef cattle farming contributes 80% to the total agricultural GDP.
The research shows that historically, beef farming has always been in two folds mainly traditional and commercial. The academics further note that as per figures from Statistics Botswana traditional system boasts of a cattle population which stands at 2.250 million whereas that of the commercial one is 250 000.
“In the early 1960s (1961–1964), cattle population stood at approximately 1.5 million and fell to approximately a million in 1966. At the time, beef accounted for 97.2% of exports despite a decline in the cattle population. From independence until the 1970s, cattle population was on an upward trajectory, with the highest number (3.2 million) in 1977. It should be noted that 1961/62, 1963/64, 1964/65, 1969/70, 1972/73, and 1978/79 were drought years,” the research notes.
Meanwhile, it denoted that the cattle population stood at between 2.6 million and 2.9 million respectively. However, there was a sharp decline in cattle population from 2010 to 2020. To account for this, the scholars observed that this was mainly due to droughts alongside other factors like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Nevertheless, against all odds, the beef sector could soon spring back to life with the anticipated business revival at the BMC headquarters.
