Namibia’s beef exports dropped by 50.8% year-to-date to 9.5 million kilograms at the end of September 2025, compared to 19.3 million kilograms exported over the same period in 2024, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB).
The Board said the sharp decline reflects low cattle throughput at abattoirs due to a nationwide shortage of market-ready animals.
“Despite firm prices, lower abattoir supply continues to cap exportable volumes. On a year-to-date basis, exports stood at 9.5 million kilograms by the end of September 2025, 50.8% lower than the 19.3 million kilograms recorded over the same period in 2024,” the LLPB said.
Cattle marketing volumes also fell by 30.8% year-on-year in September 2025, from 26,345 head in 2024 to 18,224 head. Year-to-date figures show a steeper drop of 50.3%, with 156,297 head marketed compared to 314,466 a year earlier.
The Board said the drop in throughput has constrained exportable volumes despite strong producer prices. The s-VCF B2 producer price averaged N$68.91/kg in September, while the 2025 year-to-date average rose 14.3% to N$69.90/kg.
Weaner auction prices also strengthened, averaging N$33.13/kg in September and N$30.17/kg year-to-date, up 18.4% from 2024 levels.
Europe remained the main market for Namibian beef, with the European Union accounting for 72.8% of exports and Norway for 15.7%.
Exports to Africa rose from 0.01% in August to 7.1% in September, led by Lesotho, while smaller consignments were sent to Asia.
“Another notable aspect is the decline in exports to the Rest of the World (including Asia and China), which reduced by 50.3%, reflecting relatively low volumes compared to earlier months,” the LLPB noted.
Live cattle exports also fell by 34% year-on-year in September to 7,711 head, down from 11,690 in 2024.
South Africa remained the dominant destination, taking 98% of live exports, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe.
According to the LLPB, hides and skins exports totalled 49,051 kilograms in September, sourced entirely from South Africa, bringing the year-to-date total to 824,834 kilograms.
“Year-to-date exports totalled 824,834 kilograms by the end of September 2025. The monthly pattern broadly tracks cattle slaughter trends; lower abattoir throughput has limited raw material availability,” the Board said.
