Cattle, sheep exports continue to decline

Total marketing of cattle declined by 3.68% year-on-year, from 19 906 cattle marketed in October 2023 to 19 173 in October 2024.According to the latest Monthly Market Watch report by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB), live exports are 22.21% lower year-on-year compared to October 2023.Exports decreased by 32.45% from 11 556 cattle exported in September to 7 806 cattle exported during October 2024.The LLPB said South Africa absorbed the majority of cattle (weaner) exports from Namibia, while reduced quantities were exported to Angola and Botswana.Weaner auction prices south of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) increased by N$3.65/kg from N$25.02/kg observed in September to N$28.67/kg in October 2024.On a month-on-month basis, weaner auction prices south of the VCF increased by 14.59% during the period under review.According to the LLPB, weaner prices are projected to decrease by 17.30% in November as feedlot demand slows.Meanwhile, beef all-grade and B2 carcass producer prices are forecast at N$57.23/kg and N$59.87/kg, respectively, for November.The LLPB noted that producer prices across all classes increased year-on-year on average during October 2024.Sheep marketing In the sheep sector, total marketing decreased by 29.83%, from 53 046 sheep marketed in October 2023 to 37 224 in October this year. “This is mainly due to a general decline in live exports, which was recorded at 28.96% on a year-on-year basis," the LLPB explained.Furthermore, export abattoir performance decreased by 17.27% on a year-on-year basis, while local class abattoir slaughtering also decreased by 38.82%, from 8 407 sheep slaughtered during October 2023 to 5 143 sheep slaughtered in October 2024.The LLPB said sheep marketing continues to be dominated by live exports. The majority of live sheep exports (98.73%) were destined for South Africa, followed by Tanzania (0.80%) and Botswana (0.47%).South of the borderThe South African market remains Namibia’s largest partner for sheep exports.In the pork sector, a total of 4 383 pigs were slaughtered in October 2024, reflecting an annual increase of 10.15% compared to October 2023, on a year-on-year basis. On a month-to-month basis, the number of pigs slaughtered rose by 8.68%, up from 4 033 heads in September 2024.During the period under review, the Mariental and Halooli abattoirs slaughtered 2 730 and 1 405 pigs, respectively.The LLPB said the Namibian pork ceiling price under the pork scheme is still fixed at N$51.03/kg in an effort to lessen the negative effects of the falling Red Meat Abattoir Association pork price, which is used as the basis for calculating the Namibian ceiling price. The calculated pork ceiling price increased by 0.31% during October 2024.

Cattle, sheep exports continue to decline

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-11

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Cattle, sheep exports continue to decline

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-11

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