Namibia’s Livestock Marketed Composite Index declined sharply by 36.6% in December 2025, deepening from a 4.8% contraction recorded in November, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), signalling weaker market conditions despite higher livestock volumes during the month.
On a year-on-year basis, the index edged down marginally by 0.2%.
Despite the decline in the composite index, total livestock marketed rose to 72,837 animals in December, up from 67,749 in November and significantly higher than the 47,023 animals recorded in December 2024.
The NSA said the Cattle Export to Approved Abattoirs and Butchers Index contracted by 55.3% during the month, following a 4.9% decline in November. On an annual basis, the index also fell by 11.9%.
“In volume terms, 5,453 cattle were marketed to export-approved abattoirs and butchers in December 2025, down from 12,190 cattle marketed in November 2025 and below the 6,193 cattle recorded in the same month of 2024,” the NSA said.
Meanwhile, the Index for Live Cattle Exported on Hoof increased by 3.9% in December, recovering from a 17.1% decline recorded in November. However, the index remained 21.6% lower compared with December 2024.
“A total of 3,723 live cattle were exported on hoof during the review period, an increase from the 3,584 cattle recorded in November 2025, but substantially lower than the 4,751 cattle exported in December 2024,” the NSA said.
The Small Stock Export to Approved Abattoirs and Butchers Index declined by 26.3% in December, reversing a 44.9% increase recorded in November. On a year-on-year basis, however, the index surged by 121.9%.
In absolute terms, 10,589 small stock were marketed to export-approved abattoirs and butchers during the month. Of these, 10,566 animals originated south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (S-VCF), while only 23 were sourced from north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (N-VCF).
The Index for Live Small Stock Exports rose by 44.8% in December, rebounding from a marginal 0.1% decline in the preceding month and increasing by 82.5% year-on-year.
A total of 48,286 small stock were exported live during the review period, with sheep accounting for 61.9% of exports and goats making up the remaining 38.1%. Export volumes exceeded the 33,338 animals recorded in November 2025 and the 26,461 animals exported in December 2024.
Meanwhile, the Pigs Slaughtered Index increased by 12.1% in December, reversing an 8.3% decline recorded in the previous month. On a year-on-year basis, however, the index slipped by 1.2%.
“A total of 4,786 pigs were slaughtered locally in December 2025, up from 4,270 heads recorded in November 2025, but slightly below the 4,845 pigs slaughtered in the same month of 2024,” the NSA said.
The data reflects mixed conditions across Namibia’s livestock sector, with stronger marketing volumes offset by declines in key export indices, highlighting ongoing volatility in livestock trade dynamics.
