Production interruptions at BVI may have cost Botswana export earnings after South Africa turned to Argentina for Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine supplies.
BONGANI MALUNGA
Botswana may have lost millions of pula in export earnings after production interruptions at the Botswana Vaccine Institute forced South Africa to source Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines from Argentina during one of the region’s most severe livestock disease outbreaks.
South African Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen revealed that delays in vaccine deliveries from BVI disrupted their vaccination programme, compelling authorities to procure alternative supplies from Argentine manufacturer Biogénesis Bagó, which arrived last Thursday.
VACCINE SHORTFALL
South Africa has since embarked on its largest ever FMD vaccination campaign, procuring more than 13.5 million vaccine doses since February 2026 and spending approximately R494 million on vaccine procurement and deployment.
The disruptions at BVI were attributed to a mandatory maintenance and sterilisation shutdown, as well as previous compliance related interruptions that temporarily affected exports to South Africa.
ALTERNATIVE MARKET
Speaking at the Budget Vote in South Africa on Monday, Steenhuisen stated that they had to seek alternative suppliers while awaiting the resumption of production in Botswana.
“When we were unable to receive our consignment from Botswana, we had to look elsewhere. Those vaccines had to be matched to the South African strains. Once that was done we were able to secure supply. We will be able to vaccinate every single one of the cattle population twice by the end of the year,” Steenhuisen revealed.
REGIONAL DEMAND
During recent outbreaks, South Africa ordered 900,000 doses of the FMD vaccine from Botswana valued at approximately P54.9 million. Vaccine doses have normally been priced between R60.87 and R100 per dose in dealings between the two countries.
The lost business comes at a time when regional demand for FMD vaccines is soaring. BVI has estimated that Southern Africa requires at least 43 million vaccine doses annually, while the institute’s optimal production capacity is around 25 million doses.
ENCOURAGING SIGNS
Despite the setback, there are encouraging signs as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently reaffirmed Botswana’s position as South Africa’s preferred long term vaccine supplier.
South Africa has already received millions of doses from BVI and expects continued monthly deliveries as production normalises.