Bloemfontein – The Bloem Show has cancelled its cattle and small-stock shows for 2026 as the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) tightens its grip on South Africa’s livestock sector, placing increasing pressure on farmers and major agricultural events.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a rapidly spreading viral infection in animals that poses a serious threat to the livestock industry, affecting cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals, with major economic consequences.
In a press statement issued on 16 January 2026, Bloem Show Chief Executive Officer Elmarie Prinsloo said the decision was taken “following the current circumstances regarding Foot-and-Mouth Disease in South Africa,” adding that “it is of great importance that the risk of spread to our cattle, sheep, and goat breeders and farmers is limited as far as possible.”
“As a result, the Bloem Show cattle and small-stock show for 2026 is cancelled,” the statement said, noting that the organisation would “restrict the gathering of cloven-hoofed animals on the Bloemfontein showgrounds until further notice.”
The cancellation comes amid a worsening national outbreak.
According to The Citizen, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that FMD has hit KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Free State and North West the hardest, with the Northern Cape the only province not yet reporting cases.
In the Free State alone, authorities recorded 29 new cases on 16 January 2026, bringing the total to 224, the report said.
Prinsloo said the Bloem Show’s decision followed “extensive consultations with industry leaders and stakeholders” and was taken in the interest of the broader agricultural sector.
“This decision has a significant primary and secondary impact on the local economy in terms of service providers, participants, and the marketing platform for breeders, institutions, and associations,” the statement said, adding that the situation “strongly reminds us of the Covid-19 pandemic,” but was necessary given “the national situation and crisis caused by Foot-and-Mouth Disease.”
The outbreak has already had devastating consequences for farmers, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal’s dairy sector, where producers have reported severe production losses and mounting financial pressure. Industry experts have warned that if the disease remains uncontained, South Africans could see significant increases in meat and milk prices.
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While Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced a national strategy this week, Bloem Show said uncertainty remains. “Current data indicates that the peak of the outbreaks has not yet been reached,” the statement said, noting that “timelines and risks remain a challenge for this year’s Bloem Show.”
Steenhuisen has cautioned that achieving FMD-free status will not be quick, with government’s strategy expected to unfold over more than a decade. The plan includes continued procurement of vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute and newly approved imports from Turkey, but officials have acknowledged that containing the disease will take time.
Despite the cancellation of livestock events, the Bloem Show will proceed in other areas. “Bloem Show will continue in all other divisions and will be presented from 23 April to 2 May this year,” the statement confirmed.
Events going ahead include “the National Saddle Horse Show, horse competitions, as well as the commercial show with exhibitors, entertainment, funfair, and food stalls,” which “are all in place and will be presented with great enthusiasm.”
Prinsloo said the organisation was confident stakeholders would support the move. “We are confident that all role-players, including breeders, farmers, breeder societies, the agricultural community, service providers, and members of the public, will understand the situation and support this difficult decision,” she said.
The Bloem Show is scheduled to run from 23 April to 2 May 2026.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
