The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has reported a significant increase in the export of small stock to approved abattoirs and butchers during March 2025, highlighting a monthly growth of 307.3%.
This follows a 26.3% increase recorded in February 2025. On a year-on-year basis, the index rose by 1.7%.
According to the NSA, a total of 12,546 small stocks were sold to export-approved abattoirs and butchers in March.
“Of these, 12,544 originated from the South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (S-VCF), while only two animals came from the North of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (N-VCF),” said NSA.
The Live Small Stock Export Index also recorded notable monthly growth of 87.9% in March 2025, up from 82.1% in February. However, the agency reported a year-on-year contraction of 33.8% for this index.
The Pigs Slaughtered Index saw a modest recovery, increasing by 4.2% in March, reversing the 6.1% decline observed in February. On an annual basis, the index edged up by 0.8%.
“The total number of pigs slaughtered locally during the month stood at 4,132 heads, up from 3,965 in February 2025 and slightly higher than the 4,101 heads recorded in March 2024,” reports the agency.
Despite gains in small stock and pig slaughtering, the overall Livestock Marketed Composite Index reflected a slowdown, growing by only 1.5% in March 2025 compared to 4.9% in the previous month. Year-on-year, the index recorded a substantial decline of 55.5%.
In terms of volume, the total number of livestock marketed in March reached 86,212 animals, up from 50,793 in February 2025, but still lower than the 140,523 animals marketed in March 2024.
