Namibia marketed 68,233 sheep in July 2026, an increase of 35.37% compared with the same month last year, although volumes declined by 26.53% month-on-month, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia’s August 2026 Mutton & Chevon Market Watch.
Live exports continued to dominate the sheep market, with 58,700 head exported during the month, accounting for 87.06% of total sheep marketed. South Africa remained by far the main destination, absorbing 58,419 head, or 99.52% of Namibia’s live sheep exports.
A further 9,533 sheep were slaughtered locally, including 3,836 at export-approved abattoirs and 5,697 at B&C class abattoirs. The report noted that sheep differ significantly from goats in terms of market structure, with the sheep carcass market favouring whole carcasses and South Africa serving as the main market.
“Export abattoir and B&C abattoir slaughter decreased by 49.57% and 24.41% m/m, respectively. Despite the monthly contraction, live exports accounted for 87.06% of total sheep marketing, reaffirming the dominance of the live export channel during the review period,” the report stated.
Sheep producer prices were mixed in July. The Namibia A2 price rose by 0.75% month-on-month to N$98.74 per kilogram and was 2.85% higher year-on-year.
The C2 price, however, declined by 2.36% month-on-month and 10.63% year-on-year to N$61.13/kg. The average all-grade carcass price increased by 0.88% month-on-month to N$67.71/kg, up 9.19% from July 2025.
Namibian sheep prices remained below the Upington benchmarks in South Africa, with Namibia’s A2 price N$6.86/kg lower and its C2 price N$18.87/kg lower.
“Regionally, Upington A2 and C2 prices are projected at N$100.69/kg and N$74.44/kg, respectively, remaining above the corresponding Namibian prices. Overall, the outlook points to continued firmness in the regional sheep market,” the report stated.
The goat market followed a different pattern. While small stock comprises both sheep and goats, the two have different market dynamics. Goat production in Namibia is considerably smaller than sheep production and is predominantly geared towards live exports, reflecting market demand.
Goat marketing surged by 209.87% month-on-month and 16.86% year-on-year to 14,440 head in July. Almost the entire volume, 14,385 goats or 99.62%, was exported live, with South Africa accounting for 94.22% of exports.
The bulk of goat exports were destined for feedlots, which accounted for 72.67% of exports, while 24.36% were exported for farming and breeding purposes.
“In July 2026, South Africa remained the dominant destination for Namibia’s live goat exports, accounting for 94.22% (13,554 head) of total live exports. Angola followed with 3.20% (461 head), while Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia accounted for 1.27% (183 head), 0.66% (95 head) and 0.64% (92 head), respectively,” the report stated.
