Namibia’s beef exports in November reached 1,474,078 kg, an increase of 28.3% from the 1,149,174 kg recorded in November 2024, according to the latest data from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB).
The European Union remained Namibia’s largest market, absorbing 1,199,390 kg, or 81.4% of total exports. Greece followed with 103,092 kg (7%), while Lesotho accounted for 99,993 kg (6.9%).
Regional markets absorbed 100,106 kg, almost entirely destined for Lesotho. No shipments were recorded to other international destinations, including Asia.
Year to date, beef exports stood at 12,365,411 kg by the end of November 2025, compared with 21,899,427 kg over the same period last year, representing a decline of 43.5%. The LLPB said the drop was driven almost entirely by reduced slaughter supply rather than weak demand.
Total cattle marketed in November fell to 14,846 head, down 31.2% from 21,564 head in November 2024. On a month-on-month basis, volumes declined by 13.4% from October’s 17,146 head.
Between January and November, a total of 189,243 cattle were marketed, a 47.1% decline from the 371,982 head sold over the same period in 2024. This reflects persistent supply constraints across both slaughter and live export channels.
Cattle slaughter volumes also declined, reaching 11,262 head in November. This was 20.7% lower year on year and 12.2% below October’s 12,823 head. Year-to-date slaughter stood at 133,742 head, down 28% from 184,843 head during the same period last year.
“This sharp contraction is broadly consistent with patterns observed in previous months, due to tight supply of animals,” the Board said.
Live cattle exports were similarly affected, falling 67.9% year to date to 55,501 head. South Africa remained the primary destination. In November, South Africa received 3,520 head, accounting for 98.2% of exports, while Botswana received 64 head, or 1.8%.
Hides and skins exports in November reached 164,105 kg, up from 95,483 kg in October. South Africa remained the main market, taking 85,996 kg (52.4%), followed by Italy with 27,676 kg (16.9%), Vietnam with 27,406 kg (16.7%), Zimbabwe with 18,892 kg (11.5%), and the United Kingdom with 4,135 kg (2.5%). This reflects a more diversified market mix compared with earlier months.
Producer prices strengthened amid constrained supply. The south-of-VCF B2 producer price stood at N$59.84 per kilogram in November, with a year-to-date average of N$69.40 per kilogram, up 13.5% from 2024. At auctions, weaner prices averaged N$37.23 per kilogram in November, while the 2025 year-to-date average stood at N$31.18 per kilogram, representing a 22.3% increase compared with the same period last year.
