Research and Development

About research and Development

SAPPO focuses on research and development (R&D), which aims to advance the competitiveness and sustainable growth of the South African pork industry. By generating data-driven insights and innovative solutions, R&D enables SAPPO to intervene effectively across the pork value chain, supporting industry-wide improvements and on-farm sustainability practices.

The outcomes of SAPPO’s research contribute to:

  • Policy and legislation – Facilitating collaboration in shaping and refining policies and regulations.
  • Training and business development – Providing critical knowledge to empower producers and industry stakeholders.
  • Sustainability and market growth – Enhancing production efficiencies while meeting consumer and environmental demands.

R&D objectives

  • Coordinate engagement in pork-related research between academia and industry.
  • Make strategic decisions regarding research projects and the funding thereof to further the profitability and sustainability of the South African pork industry.
  • Ensure that ongoing research continues to have short- and long-term value for pork producers and stakeholders in the pork value chain.
  • To serve both fundamental and applied research and development.

Research focus areas

  • Sustainable pig production & environmental impact – Investigating responsible farming practices to reduce environmental footprints.
  • Nutrient value of pork – Understanding and promoting pork’s role in a balanced diet.
  • Business intelligence & value chain – Leveraging data to improve market insights and economic resilience.
  • Pig production, nutrition & carcass quality – Enhancing genetics, feed efficiency, and meat quality.
  • One Health: antimicrobial resistance & food safety – Ensuring responsible antibiotic use and high food safety standards.
  • Precision livestock farming – Exploring smart technologies for efficiency, welfare, and performance tracking.
  • Managing pig diseases with economic impact – Researching prevention and control strategies for industry-threatening diseases.
  • Consumer sciences & behaviour – Understanding consumer preferences to drive demand for South African pork.
research application form

Recent activity

Let's Talk Indepth

Research and development update

During 2022, the Research and Development Committee of the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) ...

29
Nov

Let's Talk Indepth

Summary of the BFAP research report: Explaining consumption and procurement preferences

Source: BFAP/SAPPO, photo credit: The Black Peppercorn Although pork is one of the most popular ...

05
Oct

Let's Talk Indepth

New research reveals animals are changing their body shapes to cope with climate change

Source: Matthew Symonds and Sara Ryding, The Conversation, 7 September 2021, photo credit: www.naturettl.com Global ...

27
Sep

Let's Talk Indepth

Research and development are key to resilient food systems in Africa

Source: Lulama Ndibongo Traub, Thomas Jayne and Wandile Sihlobo, Bizcommunity, 2 August 2021, photo credit: ...

09
Aug

Let's Talk Indepth

How research, collaboration are contributing to food security in Africa

Source: Bizcommunity, 14 June 2021, photo credit: Labnet Professor of Plant Breeding Maryke Labuschagne is ...

21
Jun