Namibia recorded a sharp rise in live cattle exports in June 2026, with the number of cattle exported on hoof increasing by 55.8% compared with the same month last year, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
A total of 7,513 cattle were exported live during the month, up from 4,821 in June 2025 and 5,280 in May 2026.
On a month-on-month basis, live cattle exports increased by 42.3%, reversing a 38.0% decline recorded in May.
“The Index for Live Cattle Exported on Hoof rebounded on a month-on-month basis, recording an increase of 42.3% in June 2026 after declining by 38.0% in May 2026. On an annual basis, the index also rose by 55.8% compared to June 2025,” NSA reported.
The increase means significantly more Namibian cattle were sold and transported live to external markets during June, rather than being slaughtered through local export-approved abattoirs.
During the same period, 15,260 cattle were marketed to export-approved abattoirs and butchers, up 13.4% from 13,452 in May but slightly below the 15,620 recorded in June last year.
“The Cattle Export to Approved Abattoirs and Butchers Index recovered on a month-on-month basis in June 2026, recording an increase of 13.4% after declining by 12.8% in May 2026. On a year-on-year basis, however, the index decreased by 2.3%,” NSA said.
The strong live-export performance was also reflected in the small-stock sector.
Namibia exported 82,446 sheep and goats on hoof during June, with sheep accounting for 94.3% of the total and goats 5.7%.
The Live Small Stock Exports Index increased by 20.2% from May and was 37.2% higher than in June 2025.
Meanwhile, 12,415 small-stock animals were marketed to export-approved abattoirs and butchers. This represented a 27.9% increase from May but a 1.5% decline compared with June last year.
Overall, Namibia marketed 122,455 livestock during June, up from 101,710 in May and 97,617 in June 2025.
The Livestock Marketed Composite Index consequently increased by 17.2% month-on-month and 8.0% year-on-year, with the figures showing that live exports were a major driver of the increase in livestock marketing activity.
