The total marketing of cattle in Namibia fell by 45.23% in August 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia.
The number of cattle marketed according to August 2025 Review, declined from 35,779 in August 2024 to 19,595 this year, reflecting a sharp slowdown in industry activity.
Live exports dropped by 51.27% year-on-year, with South Africa remaining the main destination, accounting for 98.50% of total exports.
Smaller shares went to the Democratic Republic of Congo (1.22%), Botswana (0.21%) and Zimbabwe (0.07%).
The board said the decline was driven by weaker regional demand and lower domestic supply for export markets.
Weaner auction prices, however, showed a notable rebound, rising by 26.07% from N$24.01/kg in August 2024 to N$30.27/kg in August 2025. On a monthly basis, prices increased by 1.03% and are expected to edge slightly higher to N$30.32/kg in September.
“The weaner/B2 price ratio stood at 42% in August, which remains significantly below the benchmark level of 64% used to assess profitability between weaner and slaughter prices.
This imbalance continues to place pressure on feedlot operators and small-scale producers who depend on favourable price relationships for sustainability,” the review stated.
In the regional feed market, yellow maize prices in South Africa fell by 8.01%, from N$4,186.83/t in July to N$3,851.65/t in August 2025.
The board noted that while lower feed costs could benefit local producers, the advantage might be offset by subdued export prices and reduced cattle marketing volumes.
Beef carcass prices also recorded a decline. The all-grade carcass price dropped by 5.88%, from N$70.01/kg in July 2025 to N$65.89/kg in August, while slaughter oxen carcass prices decreased by 1.46%. Similarly, B2 carcass prices fell by 3.62% month-on-month.
“The all-grade and NAM B2 carcass producer prices are projected to reach N$66.09/kg and N$72.37/kg in September 2025, respectively. Although price forecasts remain stable, the board continues to monitor trends in export and domestic demand to assess possible shifts in market recovery,” the review added.
Internationally, US beef prices rose by 24.08% to N$149.57/kg in August 2025 compared to a year earlier, while EU steer prices increased by 1.90% month-on-month to N$149.28/kg.
In contrast, Brazil’s beef prices fell by 0.44% to N$64.36/kg, though they remained 30.38% higher year-on-year.
“Namibia’s B2 prices increased by 1.54% month-on-month, while Uruguay and Australia registered gains of 0.76% and 3.88%, respectively.
On a year-on-year basis, all producer carcass class grade prices rose between 9.43% and 20.07%, reflecting the broader global price recovery despite domestic declines,” the board concluded.
