Namibia’s livestock sector recorded a notable recovery in February 2025, with the number of animals marketed increasing by 42.5% to 50,634 from 35,519 in January, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
Despite the monthly rebound, the sector remains under strain when compared to February 2024, which saw 101,072 animals marketed.
“In February 2025, the Livestock Marketed Composite Index increased by 12.6%, compared to a growth of 2.9% recorded in the preceding month. However, the index experienced a decline of 42.6% year-on-year,” the NSA said in its latest report.
Cattle exports to approved abattoirs and butchers rose by 12.2% during February, although this represented a slowdown from the 16.3% growth recorded in January. On an annual basis, the index contracted by 9.1%.
“During the period under review, the Cattle Export to Approved Abattoirs and Butchers Index slowed down by registering an increase of 12.2%, compared to a growth of 16.3% recorded in the preceding month. However, on a yearly basis, the index contracted by 9.1%,” the agency stated.
The index for live cattle exported on the hoof continued to decline, falling by 3.4% in February following a 3.3% drop in January. Year-on-year, the index registered a substantial 79.5% decrease.
Small stock exports to approved abattoirs and butchers rebounded by 26.3% in February after a sharp 48.9% drop in January. However, the index remained significantly lower on an annual basis, declining by 71.8%.
“Small Stock Export to approved abattoirs and butchers indexes recovered on a monthly basis, registering an increase of 26.3% in February 2025, following a reduction of 48.9% in January 2025. On the other hand, the index dropped by 71.8% on a yearly basis,” the NSA reported.
In total, 3,080 small stock were sold to export-approved abattoirs and butchers in February. Of these, 3,075 were sourced from south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (S-VCF), while only five originated from the north (N-VCF).
“In absolute terms, 3,080 of small stock were sold to export-approved abattoirs and butchers in February 2025. Of these, 3,075 of small stock were sourced from the South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (S-VCF), while only 5 were sourced from the North of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (N-VCF),” the agency noted.
Live small stock exports saw a strong resurgence, with the index increasing by 82.1% in February, reversing a 35.5% decline in January. Nevertheless, this still represented a 44.3% decline compared to February 2024.
Pig marketing trends were mixed. The Pigs Slaughtered Index contracted by 6.1% in February, an improvement on the 12.9% drop observed in January. Year-on-year, however, the index grew by 3.1%.
“The number of pigs slaughtered locally stood at 3,965 heads in February 2025, lower than 4,222 heads slaughtered in January 2025 and higher than 3,847 heads slaughtered in the corresponding month of 2024,” the NSA stated.
Despite February’s positive month-on-month figures, the livestock sector continues to feel the effects of broader market challenges and climatic pressures, reflected in the significant year-on-year declines across several indices.
