Namibia’s cattle export industry experienced a significant decline in August 2024, with total exports falling by 24.3% year-on-year, latest data shows.
The drop was largely driven by reduced demand from South Africa, which saw a 26.8% contraction in cattle imports from Namibia during this period.
Latest data from the Livestock and Livestock Product Board (LLPB) indicates that the decrease reflects broader difficulties within the cattle sector, where overall marketing activities dropped by 17.3% year-on-year and 16.4% month-on-month.
By the end of August 2024, Namibia had marketed 278,195 cattle, up from 210,807 during the same period in 2023.
“Y-o-Y, sVCF weaner producer price declined by 11.2 percent, averaging N$24.01/kg in August 2024 compared to N$27.04/kg in 2023. Furthermore, the sVCF beef all grade producer carcass price dropped to N$56.44/kg in August 2024, from N$61.10/kg recorded in August 2023 consequently bringing the YTD B2 carcass price to N$60.23/kg by the end of August 2024,” the report read.
It is further reported that the sheep sector also recorded a sharp decline, with marketing numbers dropping by 26.5% compared to the same period last year.
Both export-approved and local abattoirs experienced reduced slaughtering activity, which fell by 54.2%. Weakening demand from South Africa, down 18.7%, exacerbated the situation.
By August 2024, 48,232 sheep were marketed, significantly lower than the 65,651 sheep marketed in August 2023.
Lamb and mutton exports also dropped by 17.3% year-on-year, reflecting poor slaughter activity. Meanwhile, the goat sector saw a small decline, with 13,825 goats marketed during August 2024, leading to a 0.9% decrease in year-to-date figures.
“The reduced throughput recorded at abattoirs resulted in a drop of lamb and mutton exports with only 49,373 kg being exported to Botswana in the form of carcasses, cuts and lamb bacon. Meanwhile, Mutton imports primarily in the form of sheep casings increased during August 2024,” the report read.
In contrast to the struggling cattle, sheep, and goat sectors, the pork industry saw growth. Pig slaughter increased by 13.2% year-on-year, with 4,171 pigs processed in August 2024.
The Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme continues to support local producers, helping them maintain significant market share despite a heavy reliance on imports, particularly from Germany and South Africa.
“Although imports are dominant in the market, the Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme, administered by the LLPBN continues to assist local producers in maintaining significant market share. The pork ceiling price remains fixed at N$51.03/kg while the average slaughter mass of pigs during August 2024 stood at 98.29 kg,” the report read.
