Namibia’s export earnings from bovine and bovine products declined by 38% to N$323.3 million in September 2026, down from approximately N$521.9 million in August, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin shows that export earnings from the sector fell by N$198.6 million month-on-month, reflecting a slowdown in the country’s livestock and meat export trade.
The NSA identified beef among the commodities contributing to the decline in Namibia’s overall export earnings, with beef exports alone recording a reduction of N$125 million during the month.
Despite the decline, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom remained the main export destinations for Namibia’s bovine and bovine products.
“In September 2026, the country exported ‘Bovine and bovine products’ valued at N$323.3 million predominantly destined for the Netherlands, South Africa and the UK. On the other hand, the country imported ‘Bovine and bovine products’ worth N$6.5 million, sourced from South Africa and Botswana,” the NSA said.
Meanwhile, Namibia imported bovine and bovine products worth N$6.5 million during September, significantly below the value of exports.
The imports originated from South Africa and Botswana, resulting in a trade surplus of approximately N$316.8 million in the bovine products category.
The surplus indicates that Namibia remained a net exporter of bovine products despite the sharp monthly decline in export earnings.
The decline in bovine export earnings coincided with a broader contraction in Namibia’s merchandise exports, which fell by 3.4% month-on-month to N$12.2 billion in September.
The figures highlight the contribution of bovine products to Namibia’s export trade, although the NSA data does not establish whether the decline in earnings was driven by lower export volumes, weaker prices or a combination of both.
