Local fresh pork production, including processed pork, accounted for nearly half of Namibia’s consumption demands at 49.4% in the first quarter of 2024, according to official figures.
This marks a positive step towards self-sufficiency in pork production, with the Livestock of Namibia Board reporting a 10.3% increase in the number of pigs slaughtered during Q1 2024 to 12,253 compared to 11,113 in the same period in 2023.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia-registered abattoirs saw an increase in pig slaughtering activities. Despite this, Namibia still imports a substantial amount of pork to meet local consumption needs.
“A total of 1,959 tonnes of pork, excluding processed pork, was imported, representing 43.8% of local consumption. Including processed pork, total imports reached 2,225 tonnes,” the Livestock of Namibia Board revealed.
This highlights a continued reliance on imported pork to satisfy local market demands.
“The average pork ceiling price in Namibia for Q1 2024 was N$51.03 per kg, a slight increase from the N$50.52 recorded in Q1 2023. This modest rise in prices reflects stable market conditions and the balance between supply and demand,” said the board.
During the first quarter, the overall livestock industry, including cattle, sheep and goats, showed robust growth.
The cattle sector experienced a remarkable 47.9% growth rate, driven by increased marketing activities and live exports.
“A total of 86,693 cattle were marketed across all channels, a significant rise from the 58,607 heads marketed in the same period last year. This growth is largely attributed to a surge in slaughtering at A-class abattoirs during the last month of the quarter,” said the report.
In the small stock sector, marketing activities also increased, particularly due to improvements in live exports to South Africa.
However, total slaughtering numbers declined. The sheep and goat sectors recorded growth rates surpassing 10%, contributing to the overall positive performance of the livestock industry.
The industry, however, faces ongoing challenges as domestic weaner prices struggled to recover during the quarter, while South African weaners fetched relatively higher prices.
“The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa negatively impacted producer prices in the region. The Red Meat Abattoir Association paid N$12.75 per kg less than its Namibian counterpart, further complicating the market dynamics,” the report stated.
