Farmers Meat reopening impacts sheep slaughter
While sheep exports decreased last month, the impact of the reopening of the Farmers Meat Market Mariental Abattoir can be seen when yearly slaughter figures are compared.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia’s Market Watch, live sheep exports declined by 28.17% on a month-to-month basis from 51 127 in August to 36 739 in September.
This is 103.9% (18 020) more than was exported during the same period last year and 58% more than was exported during the 2019 drought period.
The Meat Board said sheep marketed year-to-date for 2023 is 9.43% higher than the five-year average, showing the impact of drought-driven marketing.
Similarly, slaughter at export abattoirs has declined by 11.35% on a month-to-month basis.
However, sheep slaughtered at export abattoirs is significantly higher at 123.3%, compared to the same period last year - mainly due to the reopening of Farmers Meat Namibia, it said.
“A total of 99.46% of live sheep were exported to South Africa during September and the remaining were split between Botswana (0.51%) and Zimbabwe (0.03%).”
Sheep prices
Meanwhile, sheep exported to abattoirs in South Africa reduced on a month-to-month basis by 22%, with increases recorded in exports to feedlots (10%) and for farming and breeding purposes (16%).
Namibia exported 29 837 kilograms of sheep carcasses to South Africa and Botswana as top countries during September, while it imported 16 139 of sheep casings from China and South Africa.
The Meat Board said Australian sheep prices continued to trend towards the ebb, experiencing a steep decline from the February high of N$84.40/kg to the September low of N$35.09/kg.
“This decline is influenced by the surge in supply of lambs and is expected to continue for the next few months. The expected dry seasonal conditions will also play a crucial role in the coming months, and may limit any potential increases in prices.”
South African A2 producer prices experienced a slight increase by N$0.80/kg to N$82/kg during the month of September.
“It is expected that festive season demands may slightly increase prices over the coming months; however, the influence may be conservative due to increases in interest’s rates and petrol prices.”
Goats
On the other hand, live exports of goats increased by a modest 3.49% on a month-to-month basis from the 13 484 heads exported in August to 13 955 exported in September.
This year’s exports are 13.29% higher than they were a year ago during the same period.
A total of 97.87% of goats were exported mainly to feedlots in South Africa and the remaining were exported to Botswana (0.68%) and Zimbabwe (1.34%).
Year-to-date, Namibia has imported 5 455 tonnes from the United States as the top importing country, and exported 20 518 tonnes to Australia as the top exporting country.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia’s Market Watch, live sheep exports declined by 28.17% on a month-to-month basis from 51 127 in August to 36 739 in September.
This is 103.9% (18 020) more than was exported during the same period last year and 58% more than was exported during the 2019 drought period.
The Meat Board said sheep marketed year-to-date for 2023 is 9.43% higher than the five-year average, showing the impact of drought-driven marketing.
Similarly, slaughter at export abattoirs has declined by 11.35% on a month-to-month basis.
However, sheep slaughtered at export abattoirs is significantly higher at 123.3%, compared to the same period last year - mainly due to the reopening of Farmers Meat Namibia, it said.
“A total of 99.46% of live sheep were exported to South Africa during September and the remaining were split between Botswana (0.51%) and Zimbabwe (0.03%).”
Sheep prices
Meanwhile, sheep exported to abattoirs in South Africa reduced on a month-to-month basis by 22%, with increases recorded in exports to feedlots (10%) and for farming and breeding purposes (16%).
Namibia exported 29 837 kilograms of sheep carcasses to South Africa and Botswana as top countries during September, while it imported 16 139 of sheep casings from China and South Africa.
The Meat Board said Australian sheep prices continued to trend towards the ebb, experiencing a steep decline from the February high of N$84.40/kg to the September low of N$35.09/kg.
“This decline is influenced by the surge in supply of lambs and is expected to continue for the next few months. The expected dry seasonal conditions will also play a crucial role in the coming months, and may limit any potential increases in prices.”
South African A2 producer prices experienced a slight increase by N$0.80/kg to N$82/kg during the month of September.
“It is expected that festive season demands may slightly increase prices over the coming months; however, the influence may be conservative due to increases in interest’s rates and petrol prices.”
Goats
On the other hand, live exports of goats increased by a modest 3.49% on a month-to-month basis from the 13 484 heads exported in August to 13 955 exported in September.
This year’s exports are 13.29% higher than they were a year ago during the same period.
A total of 97.87% of goats were exported mainly to feedlots in South Africa and the remaining were exported to Botswana (0.68%) and Zimbabwe (1.34%).
Year-to-date, Namibia has imported 5 455 tonnes from the United States as the top importing country, and exported 20 518 tonnes to Australia as the top exporting country.
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