Sheep marketing in Namibia surged by 157.5% year-on-year in January 2026, rising from 19,771 head in January 2025 to 50,897 head, according to the Namibia Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB).
The increase was largely driven by strong growth in live exports as well as improved slaughter throughput at export-oriented abattoirs.
On a month-on-month basis, sheep marketing also increased by 14.4%, rising from 44,491 head recorded in December 2025.
Total sheep slaughter increased by 62.7% year-on-year to 11,713 head, up from 7,200 head during the same period last year. The growth was primarily recorded at A-class abattoirs, where slaughter volumes rose sharply by 429.7%.
In contrast, slaughter at B and C class abattoirs declined by 11.2%, suggesting a shift towards export-focused processing facilities.
Compared with December 2025, however, total sheep slaughter declined by 19.8%. While A-class abattoir throughput increased moderately by 12.6%, slaughter at B and C class facilities dropped sharply by 40.5%, reflecting reduced domestic slaughter activity.
Live sheep exports more than tripled during the month, increasing by 211.7% to 39,184 head. South Africa remained the dominant destination, absorbing 99.1% of total exports, with smaller volumes exported to Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Sheep meat exports also rose significantly, increasing from 272 kilograms in January 2025 to 13,078 kilograms in January 2026, representing a 4,709.6% year-on-year increase. However, exports declined sharply compared with the 71,190 kilograms recorded in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Namibia’s pork sector recorded modest growth during the month. Total pig marketing increased by 3.2% year-on-year to 4,372 head, up from 4,235 head in January 2025.
Despite the annual increase, pig marketing declined by 11% compared with December 2025, reflecting a seasonal slowdown following higher slaughter volumes during the festive period.
The LLPB noted that pig marketing in Namibia consists entirely of slaughter activity, with no live exports recorded during the period, underscoring the sector’s domestic orientation.
In the goat sector, marketing increased by 48.7% year-on-year, rising from 4,542 head in January 2025 to 6,754 head in January 2026.
However, on a month-on-month basis goat marketing fell sharply by 64.1% from 18,796 head recorded in December 2025, reflecting a seasonal slowdown after strong year-end export activity.
Live exports dominated goat marketing, rising by 49.8% year-on-year to 6,729 head. South Africa remained the primary destination, absorbing 84.8% of exports.
Other regional markets included Zambia, which accounted for 8.9% of exports, followed by Angola (4.6%), Zimbabwe (1.4%) and Botswana (0.2%).
Auction prices for goat lambs averaged N$37.82 per kilogram, down 15.9% from the previous year. However, prices for Kapater goats and rams increased slightly to N$48.00 per kilogram and N$54.00 per kilogram respectively.
The LLPB noted that the goat sector continues to be largely export-driven, with live exports dominating overall marketing performance while regional markets show gradual diversification.
