Beef exports remain depressed
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The latest figures by the Bank of Botswana (BoB) show that Beef exports from Botswana were US$11.7 million (P107.9 million) as of November last year. This is a slight increase compared to US$9.4 million (P81.5 million) recorded in December 2013.
Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) attributed this to structural issues in the beef value chain that need to be dealt with to improve the performance of the beef industry.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...