Causes and economic loss due to postmortem rejections in cattle and pigs slaughtered at Matabeleland abattoirs, Zimbabwe

Cattle and pig farming play a critical role in sustaining livelihoods and ensuring food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, diseases and conditions leading to carcasses and offal condemnation at abattoirs are significant threats. This study sought to address gaps in recent data relating to the causes of carcass and offal condemnations in cattle and pigs at selected abattoirs in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe and the resulting economic losses. Meat inspection condemnation records for the period 2017 to 2022 were accessed from the Veterinary Public Health Department in Bulawayo. A total of 402,668 cattle and 55,177 pigs were slaughtered during this period. Pigs had significantly higher organ condemnation rates than cattle (4–12% vs. 0.5–1.6%). The liver was the most condemned organ in cattle, mainly due to fasciolosis, while the lungs were most condemned in pigs, primarily from contamination. Partial and whole carcass condemnations were more common in cattle (1,957, 0.5% of carcasses examined) than pigs (28, 0.05% of carcasses examined), mostly due to Taenia saginata and Taenia solium cysticercosis, respectively. Economic losses were estimated at USD 551,038 for cattle and USD 21,252 for pigs. Our study provides insights into important zoonotic and food safety issues in livestock production in Zimbabwe and baseline data to inform interventions to reduce condemnations and associated economic losses.