Van der Merwe, MelissaKirsten, Johann F.2016-06-062016-06-062015-01M. van der Merwe & J.F. Kirsten (2015) Traceability systems origin and based meat products in the South African sheep meat industry, Agrekon, 54:1, 53-69, DOI:10.1080/03031853.2015.1019524.0303-1853 (print)2078-0400 (online)10.1080/03031853.2015.1019524http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52874In a consumer-driven world, consumers want to experience a connection between the product that they are consuming and the product’s origin. To guarantee the validity of this connection and therefore the origin attribute of the product, traceability systems are required. The main purpose of this paper is to assess current traceability systems implemented in South African sheep abattoirs, thereby establishing their ability to guarantee the origin of a carcass. Research indicated that the South African sheep abattoirs have traceability systems in place and they can guarantee the origin of a meat product. The descriptive analysis and hypothesis tests identified the tipping factor for the implementation of a traceability system, as the requirement from retail markets to which these abattoirs deliver their product.en© Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa. This is an electronic version of an article published in Agrekon, vol. 54, no.1, pp. 53-69, 2015. doi : 10.1080/03031853.2015.1019524. Agrekon is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/ragr20.TraceabilitySouth African abattoirsKaroo lambFisher’s exact testPostprint Article