South Africa’s red meat sector has unveiled a bold new innovation framework to position the industry for long-term growth and competitiveness. The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) launched its “Field to Future” strategy this week, a structured process aimed at aligning research and development efforts with the industry’s 2030 vision.
Unveiled during a national webinar, the framework is designed to bring stakeholders across the red meat value chain together—from producers and veterinarians to processors and market experts—to co-develop solutions that tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Starting in May 2025, RMIS will activate eight thematic Focus Area Groups. These groups will cover key priorities such as animal health, meat safety, market access, inclusive growth, and sustainability. Each group will serve as the first filter in a broader R&D funnel, helping to shape high-impact projects aligned with the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030.
“We want to move beyond siloed legacy systems and build a truly integrated, stakeholder-led approach,” said Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS. “Field to Future allows us to collaboratively shape practical projects that directly support the industry’s growth and resilience.”
Stakeholders have been invited to provide feedback on the framework, join focus groups, and nominate facilitators to guide the next phase of development. The initiative will expand over time, with national-level work in 2025 expected to evolve into regional clusters by 2027, ensuring broader inclusion and regional relevance.
Once finalised, the prioritised topics and solutions from these groups will be channelled through the RMIS innovation unit and developed into funded projects that serve the wider industry.
Those who missed the webinar can access the full recording via the RMIS YouTube channel. Industry members are encouraged to participate actively in this collaborative effort to build a more competitive and resilient red meat sector in South Africa.