The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) says demand for pork imports surged to 716,671kg in February 2025, marking a 158% increase from the same period in 2024.
Of these imports, Spain accounted for 39.4% of the total, while China supplied 35.7%. Other notable suppliers included South Africa, Germany and Botswana.
According to the LLPBN’s monthly bulletin, despite the overwhelming imports, YTD total marketing of pigs at LLPBN-approved abattoirs stood at 8,192 pigs in early 2025, slightly higher than the 8,154 pigs marketed during the same period in 2024. February 2025 alone saw 3,965 pigs marketed, a 3.1% increase compared to 3,847 pigs marketed in February 2024.
“Demand for pork imports increased significantly during the period under review. As such, pork imports totalled 716,671kg in February 2025, 158.0% higher than what was imported during the same period in 2024,” it was reported.
It was further reported that the drought severely impacted the cattle sector, resulting in reduced market-ready livestock. YTD marketing during the first two months of 2025 totalled 25,386 animals, a decrease of 58.4% from 53,663 animals marketed during the same period in 2024. February 2025 alone saw 12,679 animals marketed, a drop from 30,497 animals in February 2024.
Live exports, which represent the largest segment, plummeted by 79.1%. Domestic abattoirs also recorded a decline, with throughput dropping by 30.4%. Beef prices saw an increase, with the s-VCF beef all-grade average reaching N$67.28/kg, N$8.86/kg higher than in 2024.
The s-VCF B2 producer price averaged N$71.53/kg in 2025, compared to N$61.59/kg in 2024. The lumpy skin disease outbreak and subsequent animal movement restrictions further limited the supply of animals, placing upward pressure on prices.
“During February 2025, 111,510 pieces of bovine wet blue and processed leather were exported to South Africa and Zimbabwe. This brings the YTD exports to 168,100 pieces,” the report read
Similarly, the sheep sector was marked with a decline in marketing due to the shortage of market-ready animals. In February 2025, slaughter activities at export-approved abattoirs dropped by 74.8%, and domestic abattoirs saw a 9.4% reduction.
Live exports also fell by 49.6%. As a result, mutton exports decreased from 73,673kg in February 2024 to just 38,472kg in 2025.
The Namibian A2 producer price for sheep averaged N$89.36/kg in February 2025, up from N$74.70/kg in 2024. Auction lamb prices averaged N$36.24/kg and N$36.78/kg during the first two months of 2025.
Furthermore, goat marketing also saw a decline of 13.8% in February 2025, with only 6,778 goats marketed compared to 7,861 in February 2024. The sector’s challenges were compounded by the reduced availability of marketable animals. Goat auction prices averaged N$42.31/kg in January and N$38.14/kg in February 2025.
The dairy sector reported imports of 844,472 liters of milk and 1,374,146kg of various dairy products. These products were sourced from South Africa, the EU, the UK and Seychelles, highlighting the ongoing reliance on imports to meet local demand.
“The livestock and livestock products sector in general posted a negative performance in terms of output which saw producer prices rising. The current trend is mainly driven by a shortage of animals after drought while the advent of good rainfalls supports efforts to rebuild stocks,” the report reads.
