By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
A recorded shift in livestock marketing (cattle) has been observed for the first four months of 2026, with domestic slaughtering having significantly increased compared to live exports.
This is according to the livestock marketing statistics for the first four months of the year, compiled by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia.
During the first quarter of the year, domestic slaughtering (export abattoirs and butcheries) accounted for more cattle slaughtered compared to the number sold live.
Monthly, domestic slaughtering stood between 11,150 head of cattle, while weaner export was below 8,600 head of cattle.
Total domestic slaughter for the first four months stood at 56,415 across export abattoirs and other slaughtering houses.
With exporting abattoirs pushing more numbers (throughput) compared to local serving slaughtering houses, the statistics show.
The country has also added two export-approved abattoirs, targeting various markets in Africa and European markets.
As for live exports, the country has exported 26,290 head of cattle, mostly weaners destined for South African feedlots.
The producers have opted to sell slaughter-ready animals due to the declining weaner/B2 ratio, which has been below the 64.0% benchmark.
This is a reflection of strong producer carcass prices paid by abattoirs, relative to weaner prices, according to the Board.
The weaner/B2 ratio stood at 41.0% in April 2026, compared with 43.3% recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The statistics have also shown a significant decrease in monthly slaughtering at domestic serving slaughterhouses (B&C abattoirs), starting with around 4,600 heads in the first two months. However, by the end of April, only 2,361 heads were slaughtered.
The Board has not provided insights on its commentary on why the number of cattle slaughtered to produce beef for local markets has declined for the first four months of the year.
In April 2026, the cattle sector growth continued in total marketing activities, supported by increased throughput at export‐approved abattoirs, which accounted for 50.6% of total marketing.
For April 2026, live exports contributed 31.8%, and B&C class abattoirs 17.6%.
A total of 23,207 heads were marketed in April 2026, representing a 25.7% increase year-on-year.
Both export-abattoirs and live exports have experienced an increase in throughput.
Export-abattoirs slaughtered 12,325 head, while 8,521 were live exported in April 2025.
In contrast to others, domestic abattoirs registered a sharp decline of 58.6% to 2,361 head.
Beef exports reached 5.02 million kilograms as of the end of April 2026, mostly distributed among 6 markets.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
