The Namibian livestock sector has over the past two months recorded mixed results in its cattle and sheep exports, which saw the total marketing of cattle decreasing by 71.06% on a year-on-year basis, and total sheep marketing declining by 47.72%. 

According to the latest trade statistics from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, cattle exports declined from the 45 597 cattle marketed in April last year to a worrying 13 196 herds of cattle marketed in April 2025. 

On a year-on-year basis, live exports in the last two months stood at 74.83%, lower than observed in April 2024. 

The majority of Namibian cattle were exported to South Africa, while lower quantities were marketed to both Botswana and Zimbabwe. Despite the low export volumes, weaner auction prices increased by N$7.58/kg from a price of N$24.83/kg observed in April 2024 to N$32.41/kg in April 2025.

Meanwhile, the country’s sheep export volumes also took a nosedive during the period under review as Namibia recorded a decrease of 47.72% in total sheep marketing, which declined from the 116 879 sheep marketed in April last year to 61 104 sheep marketed in April this year. 

Live exports decreased by 39.09% on a year-on-year basis, while export abattoir performance decreased by 45.84% on a year-on-year basis. At the country’s B and C class abattoirs, slaughtering decreased by 83.40% from 21 038 sheep slaughtered during April 2024 to 3 493 sheep slaughtered in April this year. 

The sheep industry is dominated by live exports, with the majority of live sheep exports (99.37%) all destined for the South African market, followed by Botswana, which absorbed 0.60% of Namibian sheep, and Zimbabwe, which imported about 0.02% of Namibian sheep.

Fransina Angula, trade and strategic marketing statistician at the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia said despite being only five months into the new year, the enduring effects of the drought remain evident. 

“The livestock sector has been severely impacted, leaving it with limited market-ready animals to supply across various marketing channels. This has led to contractions across all sectors, with the exception of the pig sector, which recorded growth during February 2025. Livestock prices on the other hand soared as limited supply of animals drove up shortages. The drought of 2024 posed immense challenges for farmers, necessitating increased cattle marketing as a response to the harsh environmental conditions. Consequently, farmers experienced significant herd reductions, leaving them with minimal market-ready livestock during the current year,” observed Angula. 

She further noted: “The livestock and livestock products’ sector in general posted a negative performance in terms of output which saw producer prices rising. The current trend is mainly driven by a shortage of animals after drought, while the advent of good rainfalls support efforts to rebuild stocks.”

ohembapu@nepc.com.na