The number of cattle marketed in Namibia declined drastically to 15,840 in September down from 16,952 in August 2022, due to a ripple effect from the 21-day nationwide ban on the movement of cattle in South Africa, latest statistics shared by Agribank show.
According to the agriculture-focused bank, the sheep industry was also affected by the movement ban, as 70% of the sheep marketed is exported live to South Africa.
Moreover, the average beef producer price remains elevated, averaging at N$59.5 per kg year to date (YTD) ending September 2022, compared to N$51.2 per kg recorded during the same period in 2021.
“Weaner auction prices subsided drastically to N$37.4 per kg YTD ending September 2022, compared to a N$39.9 per kg recorded in 2021. The decline in prices can be attributed to the increase in the number of live exports,” Agribank said in its monthly market watch for October.
The report further stated that the improvement in land pasture due to better rainfall recorded in 2022 coupled with the positive rainfall outlook for the next season, keeps the industry upbeat and hopeful for better grazing and production in 2023.
Agribank noted that a potential spillover of brown locust as Agri SA predicts a potentially devastating brown locust swarms in the upcoming summer season.
“Brown locust outbreaks have been reported in parts of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape. These swarms have been caused by above-normal rainfall, a phenomenon which is forecast to persist into the summer season. Production efficiency, innovation, and agile strategies will be critical in the current business cycle and foreseeable future, to remain viable,” the report said.
Meanwhile, according to the October Namibia rangelands monitoring report, rangelands are much greener compared to the previous year due to good rains received in the 2021/22 rainy season.
However, Agribank said some parts of the Kunene Region remain dry as the country receives no to little rainfall in that area.
As a result, “farmers are cautioned to be vigilant of veld fires due to dry carry-over grass materials that are still available on farms”.
