The number of cattle marketed in Namibia dropped by 58% in the first quarter of 2025, falling to 37,577 from 89,507 in the same period last year, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) has reported.
According to the board’s latest quarterly update, the sharp contraction was largely due to good rains that encouraged farmers to rebuild their herds, thereby limiting the supply of animals ready for market.
The outbreak of lumpy skin disease also affected cattle supply across all channels.
“The contraction in the cattle sector (58%) was due to good rains received, triggering herd rebuilding which limited the supply of market-ready animals,” the report stated.
Live cattle exports fell by 76.77% to 13,370 head in the quarter, while slaughtering at A-class abattoirs declined by 22.04% to 17,506. B- and C-class abattoirs saw a 29.38% drop, with 6,701 cattle processed compared to 9,489 in the same quarter of 2024.
In terms of market share, 35.6% of cattle were exported live, 46.6% went through export abattoirs, and 17.8% were slaughtered at B- and C-class abattoirs. This marked a shift from Q1 2024, with live exports losing 28.7% market share. In contrast, A-class and B-/C-class abattoirs gained 21.5% and 7.2% respectively.
Despite the decline in volumes, cattle prices rose. South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (SVCF), the average weaner price climbed to N$29.13/kg, ranging from N$28.59 in January to N$30.53 in March. North of the cordon fence (NVCF), tolly prices averaged N$30.03/kg, peaking at N$31.39 in January and dropping to N$27.32 in February.
The B2 producer carcass price also recorded a notable year-on-year increase, rising by N$8.13 to N$69.00/kg. In comparison, the South African Red Meat Abattoir Association reported average carcass prices of N$48.72/kg, N$20.28/kg lower than Namibia’s, partly due to the impact of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
The sheep sector also posted significant declines, with total marketing down 42.7%. Live exports dropped by 44.2% to 85,840 head in Q1 2025 from 153,713 in the same period last year. A-class abattoir throughput fell by 53.9%, while B- and C-class abattoirs declined by 21.6%. Combined slaughtering numbers dropped from 43,262 to 26,979.
Live sheep exports made up 76.1% of the market, slightly down from 78% in 2024. B- and C-class abattoirs gained 4.1% in market share, while export-approved abattoirs lost 2.1%.
The average Namibian A2 sheep producer price stood at N$88.74/kg, trailing the Northern Cape average of N$91.81/kg by N$3.06. This gap, though larger than in recent quarters, remained within the LLPB’s benchmark price difference of N$4.98/kg set in 2020.
“The NC producer price serves as a benchmark for Namibian producers, given that the majority of exports are destined for the Northern Cape region,” the board noted.
Goat marketing also declined, with volumes down by 15.1%. Live exports dropped by 11.3% to 20,684 head. The sector remains heavily reliant on live exports, which accounted for 99.6% of goats marketed during the quarter. B- and C-class abattoirs handled just 0.4% of volumes.
In contrast, pig slaughtering rose marginally by 0.6%, increasing from 12,255 in Q1 2024 to 12,324 this year. Pork imports remained high, with 2,246 tonnes of unprocessed pork brought in—covering 52.3% of national consumption. Total pork imports, including processed meat, reached 3,030 tonnes, while local production accounted for 35.4% of consumption.
“The average Namibian pork ceiling price for Q1 of 2025 averaged N$51.03 per kg. It has remained fixed since 2024,” the LLPB stated.
