30% drop in slaughter numbers at export abattoirs
Livestock exports increased by 24.7% in July compared to the previous month, while export abattoirs, on the other hand, experienced a 30.6% decline in July compared to the number of animals slaughtered in June.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia’s Monthly Market Watch, live exports (mainly weaners) grew from the 12 482 heads exported in June to 15 577 heads exported in July.
This is 0.10% more than the number of cattle exported in June 2022.
The Meat Board said that this increase could be a result of improved demand for weaners from South African feedlots.
Roughly 99% of live exports were destined for South African feedlots, and 1% went for farming and breeding purposes.
Drought plays a role
The number of cattle slaughtered at export abattoirs declined from 15 345 slaughtered in June to 10 701 in July. This is, however, 65.8% more than the numbers slaughtered at export abattoirs in 2022.
"This could be influenced by drought-induced supply, influenced by low rainfall experienced during the 2022/2023 rainy season."
Producer prices increased in all A, B and C class categories along with the south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) weaner auction prices, increasing by 12.5% in July.
"Improvements have also been seen in the auction prices north of the VCF, increasing by 47.5% from the June level of N$15.15/kg and heifer prices increasing by 16.77% from the June level of N$22.36/kg."
Steady prices
The Meat Board said that weaner prices picked up in July and are expected to remain steady around N$26/kg for the month of August.
"This increase is mainly attributed to a decline in the number of weaners auctioned during the month of July, dropping by 85.6%."
South African weaner prices, however, saw a 1.78% increase during the month of July.
This is due to an improvement in demand from feedlots due to lower levels of load shedding.
Prices are expected to remain steady between August and October.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia’s Monthly Market Watch, live exports (mainly weaners) grew from the 12 482 heads exported in June to 15 577 heads exported in July.
This is 0.10% more than the number of cattle exported in June 2022.
The Meat Board said that this increase could be a result of improved demand for weaners from South African feedlots.
Roughly 99% of live exports were destined for South African feedlots, and 1% went for farming and breeding purposes.
Drought plays a role
The number of cattle slaughtered at export abattoirs declined from 15 345 slaughtered in June to 10 701 in July. This is, however, 65.8% more than the numbers slaughtered at export abattoirs in 2022.
"This could be influenced by drought-induced supply, influenced by low rainfall experienced during the 2022/2023 rainy season."
Producer prices increased in all A, B and C class categories along with the south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) weaner auction prices, increasing by 12.5% in July.
"Improvements have also been seen in the auction prices north of the VCF, increasing by 47.5% from the June level of N$15.15/kg and heifer prices increasing by 16.77% from the June level of N$22.36/kg."
Steady prices
The Meat Board said that weaner prices picked up in July and are expected to remain steady around N$26/kg for the month of August.
"This increase is mainly attributed to a decline in the number of weaners auctioned during the month of July, dropping by 85.6%."
South African weaner prices, however, saw a 1.78% increase during the month of July.
This is due to an improvement in demand from feedlots due to lower levels of load shedding.
Prices are expected to remain steady between August and October.
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