Agri X, in collaboration with North-West University (NWU) and key industry partners, has announced the postponement of the Agri X Fusion Red Meat Value Chain event, originally scheduled for 4–5 March 2026 at the NWU Mahikeng Campus. The event will now take place on 19–20 August 2026 at the same venue.

The decision follows extensive consultation with industry leaders and stakeholders and recognises the significant pressures currently facing the red meat sector, including the recent declaration of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) as a national disaster by President
Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address on 12 February.
Agri X emphasised that the postponement is intended to allow industry stakeholders the necessary space and focus to respond effectively to the immediate FMD-related challenges affecting producers and the broader value chain.

“This decision was taken in the best interest of the industry,” said Koos Nel, Chief Executive Officer of Agri X.

“Agri X Fusion is designed as a value-chain alignment platform, not an FMD-focused intervention. However, we recognise that the current crisis requires the full attention of producers, industry bodies and policymakers. By postponing the event, we are demonstrating solidarity with the sector and allowing time for the industry to stabilise.” Nel added that the FMD crisis has, in fact, reinforced the importance of the Agri X Fusion initiative.

“The impact of the FMD outbreak on markets, biosecurity systems, producer confidence and value-chain coordination highlights the urgent need for better alignment between industry needs and research, innovation and institutional capability. The challenges we are witnessing elevate — rather than diminish — the importance of this platform.”

The Agri X Fusion series is a first-of-its-kind national initiative aimed at aligning industry priorities, academic and research capacity, and solution providers across major agricultural value chains. The red meat sector was selected as the starting point due to its complexity
and strategic importance to South Africa’s agricultural economy.
Prof Simon Letsoalo, Acting Director of NWU’s School of Agricultural Sciences, affirmed the university’s continued commitment to hosting the event:

“NWU Mahikeng is a hub of rural expertise. Hosting Agri X Fusion here underlines our commitment to rural agriculture and to the communities that sustain the sector. While the postponement is prudent given current circumstances, the need for structured collaboration between industry and academia remains critical. We look forward to welcoming stakeholders in August.”

Continued Engagement Through Online Roundtables
In the interim, Agri X will facilitate online roundtable discussions with academic and research institutions, focusing on some of the most pressing structural challenges within the red meat value chain. These discussions will aim to:

• surface priority research gaps,
• explore practical innovation responses, and
• strengthen alignment between academia and industry ahead of the August event.

Further details regarding these virtual sessions will be communicated in due course.

Registration & Participation
Participants who have already registered for the March event will be offered the option to:

• retain their registration and secure their place for the 19–20 August 2026 event, or
• receive a full refund.

Agri X remains confident that the August event will provide an even stronger and more impactful platform for constructive engagement across the red meat value chain.

“This is not a cancellation; it is a strategic pause,” Nel concluded. “We remain fully committed to building a collaborative platform that strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of the South African red meat industry.”

For queries or more information, contact:
Agri X Fusion | Jennifer Booth | jennifer@jrpr.co.za