Namibia’s cattle market posted a 2.3% growth in 2022, reaching a total of 240,463 head, marking the first annual expansion in the past three years, according to Agribank.
“The growth is attributed to increased marketing in the first half of 2022, due to relatively good prices at export abattoirs. However, a downward trend is noted in the second half of 2022, as a result of the ban on live cattle exports to South Africa.”
According to the agriculture-focused bank, “climate change, rising input cost and animal diseases remain major risks to the industry in 2023.”
Sheep marketing surged by 39% to 565,894 in the period under review, compared to 406,005 registered in 2021.
“The upbeat growth is owed to live sheep exports that recorded a double-digit growth of 49% to 424,807 in 2022 from the 285,571 heads in the prior year,” Agribank said.
Sheep marketing is expected to get a boost from the Hartlief Group’s resumption of commercial operations at the Mariental abattoir.
“The upward trend in sheep marketing is expected to be sustained throughout 2023, due to slaughtering activities at export abattoirs and the resumption of business at Farmers Meat Market in Mariental.”
The goat sector recorded a 25% growth in 2022 to 142,000 goat heads from 113,162 in 2021.
“The growth is owed to increased demand of live goats’ exports to South Africa. Better grazing conditions in 2023, will continue to boost growth in the small stock sector,” the bank said.
Pigs marketed in 2022 declined by 3% to 46,321 heads from 47,723 in 2021, with a swine flu outbreak a threat to the sector’s growth.
“The pig industry remains pocket-sized in Namibia, with more than 80% of slaughter pork being imported. Pork ceiling price skyrocketed in December 2022 to N$51,03/kg compared to N$37.8/kg recorded in the prior year, partially due the low supply of local pork meat. Swine-flu outbreak remains a threat to pig farming in Africa, with certain areas in South Africa already affected. This could have an adverse impact on the piggery industry in 2023.”
Namibia’s agricultural sector is forecasted to post positive growth this year, driven by growth in livestock production and expected adequate rainfall in the current Summer season, according to research firm Simonis Storm.
This, however, comes after the sector recorded a contraction of 14.2% year on year (y/y) in 3Q2022 after expanding by 7.8% y/y and 2.0% y/y in 1Q2022 and 2Q2022 respectively.”
