Namibia’s cattle exports drop by more than 70 percent year-on-year

NAMIBIA – The number of cattle sold in Namibia fell significantly in June 2025, dropping to 15,938 from 36,902 in the same month last year, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB).

On a year-on-year basis, live cattle exports decreased by 70.7 percent, with most of the animals sent to South Africa, which absorbed 98.32 percent of the shipments.

Botswana and Angola took much smaller shares of cattle exports, with 1.06 percent and 0.62 percent respectively.

Despite the sharp fall in volumes, the LLPB noted that weaner auction prices were up by 12.04 percent year-on-year, moving from US$1.35 (N$24.91) per kilogram in June 2024 to US$1.52 (N$27.91) this year, although they dropped by 8.40 percent compared to May 2025.

The report further showed that slaughter oxen carcass prices decreased by 5.26 percent month-on-month, while the all-grade carcass price slipped by 3.08 percent from US$3.77 (N$69.27) per kilogram in May to US$3.65 (N$67.14) in June.

Sheep and goat trade under pressure

The sheep sector also registered a downturn, with total marketing volumes reducing by 33.67 percent year-on-year to 60,599 animals in June 2025 compared to 91,356 a year earlier.

Live exports of sheep declined by 35.92 percent, and slaughtering activity fell as well, with B and C class abattoirs processing only 4,774 animals in June compared to 7,934 in June 2024.

Most of Namibia’s sheep exports continued to head to South Africa, accounting for 99.46 percent, while Botswana, Swaziland, and Angola took very limited numbers.

Goat marketing recorded a similar trend, with 10,974 goats sold in June 2025 compared to 15,518 a year ago, representing a 29.28 percent decline.

Exports of live goats dropped by 27.31 percent year-on-year, and South Africa remained the dominant destination, taking 98.1 percent of the animals, while Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and Angola accounted for minimal shares.

Pig slaughtering sees increase

Unlike cattle, sheep, and goats, the pig sector recorded growth, with 4,458 pigs slaughtered in June 2025, an increase of 15.43 percent compared to the same month last year.

On a monthly basis, pig slaughtering also rose slightly by 1.71 percent from May 2025, with the Mariental and Halooli abattoirs handling the majority of the animals.

The LLPB reported that South African pork prices increased from US$1.76 (N$32.36) per kilogram in May to US$1.77 (N$32.56) in June, while Namibia’s fixed pork ceiling price stood at US$2.76 (N$51.03) per kilogram.

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