This Top Rated South African Wagyu Beef Could Sell for R1,000 a Kg

South Africa beef industry has achieved a first, receiving one of the highest score for a piece of Wagyu ribeye meat.

The piece received the highest marbling score in the country, and certainly one of the highest if not the highest in the world.

According to a report by Landbou.com, the beef scored a 15. Dr Michael Bradfield, CEO of industry organisation Wagyu South Africa said that the meat is a cross between Wagyu and Angus breeds.

Marbling is the white flecks that run through a cut of beef. The fat melts when heated, enhancing the beef flavour greatly. Wagyu has more marbling that other types of beef, which makes it highly desired and extremely expensive. The more marbling a piece has, the higher the score and price.

A R800,000 Japanese camera and grading equipment is used to determine the marbling score in the country.

Locally, a piece with a high marbling score can sell for between R800/kg and R1,000/kg. The price can be 20 times that in more developed markets like the US, UK and Japan.

This particular carcass is owned by Delmas meat supplier and will be auctioned on Wagyu auction site WagyuX.co.za on Wednesday.