Namibia’s small livestock subsector experienced a sharp 44.9% decline in the number of animals marketed to export-approved abattoirs and butchers during the second quarter of 2024, the latest data shows.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the decline in exports led to a marginal 0.3% contraction in the subsector, a stark contrast to the 12.8% growth posted in the corresponding period of 2023.
“The livestock subsector recorded a marginal decline of 0.3% during the quarter under review compared to a growth of 12.8% posted during the corresponding quarter of 2023. This is due to a reduction in the number of small livestock marketed to export-approved abattoirs and butchers that declined by 44.9% in the current quarter, compared to a growth of 6.8% recorded in the second quarter of 2023,” said NSA.
In contrast to small livestock, slaughtering activities at abattoirs and butchers for cattle recorded an increase of 6.7% in the second quarter of 2024 relative to a higher growth of 35.4% recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
“While the number of cattle exported live (on hoof) increased by 40.5%, relative to a decline of 3.9% posted in the corresponding quarter of the preceding year,” the agency noted.
Furthermore, the number of small livestock exported live posted a growth of 14.8% during the quarter under review relative to an increase of 20.3% posted in the corresponding period of 2023.
Meanwhile, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia in the second quarter of 2024, the sheep sector experienced growth, driven by live exports to South Africa.
A total of 310,481 sheep was marketed during the second quarter of 2024, a 10.9% increase from 279,816 in the second quarter of 2023.
“Despite a 3.0% drop in prices, sheep prices remained stable: lamb Dorper averaged N$30.63/kg (down from N$31.58/kg in 2023), while all-grade carcass prices averaged N$47.26/kg and A2 carcass prices averaged N$70.63/kg,” the board said.
Year-to-date lamb and mutton exports fell by 21.0%, with a 34.8% decline in Q2 exports to South Africa, totalling 247,561kg compared to 379,858kg in 2023. Mutton imports also decreased by 23.4%.
Meanwhile, goat marketing remains heavily dominated by live exports to South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal province.
South Africa’s share of Namibian goat exports decreased slightly from 97.9% in 2023 to 97.5% in Q2 2024.
“Overall goat marketing was slower, with 36,072 goats marketed during the period, bringing the year-to-date total to 60,514, a 5.1% decline. Goat lamb prices averaged N$29.34/kg and peaked at N$30.54/kg in June 2024,” the Board said.
