CC Sales suffer $600 000 worth of business due to foot and mouth disease

Bulawayo's biggest livestock markets, CC Sales, has lost an estimated loss of $600 000 worth of business in just two months due to an  outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and the subsequent suspension of cattle sale.

FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock with significant economic impact.

The disease affects cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.

Company director Richard Wakefield said "Since the 8th of April, except for the trade fair period, CC Sales had their Showground sales indefinitely suspended. This has affected our business to virtually zero turnover".

He said before the closure the company would sell more than 2 000 head per month with a turnover of more than $300 000.

"For the month of March alone we managed to sell an average of 582 cattle per week at an average cost of $575 per head.

"We currently receive between 15 and 20 phone calls everyday from desperate farmers begging for CC Sales to resume operations as they say the showgrounds sales was their market place of choice," he said.

According to a report detailing the spread of FMD, most of the southern parts of the country risk being declared a red zone.

The report noted that in Matabeleland South infected areas were Greystone farm, Debshan headquarters, Nelly's vlei Flack happy and Blueridge in Insiza North.

In Gwanda, Mzingwane dip tank, in Mangwe Weldane farm and in Matobo Weebit farm, Manadoo feedlot, Mbokodo feedlot and Malaba farm were affected.

In Beitbridge the affected area was Joko dip tank.

Three districts of Insiza, Gwanda North and Beitbridge were under quarantine, the report noted.