By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
For the nine months ending in August 2025, abattoirs sourcing locally for beef exports only slaughtered 89,466 head of cattle compared to 157,525 cattle slaughtered in the same period last year.
This is according to the monthly statistics for August 2025, which were released by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia this week.
The data showed that the beef sector continues to face challenges in accessing slaughter-ready animals (throughput). Despite this, the country, however, is still exporting live animals (weaners) to the South African market – which the southern neighbours fatten through their commercial scale feedlots to supply their abattoirs.
During the surveyed period, the livestock sector has externally sold/exported 39,883 weaners, mostly to the South African market, 8,190 of which were exported in August 2025 (the highest for the year).
In its commentary, the Board stated that the livestock and livestock products industry continues to face challenges due to a constrained supply of market-ready animals across key marketing channels, with most sectors recording lower marketing volumes.
“Meanwhile, livestock prices have strengthened in response to the tight supply of animals,” the Board added.
Cattle marketing decreased in the period under review by 55.1%, from 288,121 cattle marketed in 2024 to 129,349 cattle marketed this year. As for the month of August 2025, the Board explained the mix shifted notably between channels: abattoir slaughtering totalled 11,186 head, a decline of 41.04%, from 18,973 in the same month in 2024.
Export-approved abattoirs saw a decline of 32.55% in slaughtering, while local slaughtering saw the highest decline of 68.67% (1,396 cattle) compared to the same month in 2024, where 4,457 cattle were slaughtered.
On the other hand, live exports reached 8,190 head, also a steep decline of 51.3%, from 16,806 cattle exported in the same month in 2024, leading to a 72.54% decline from 145,251 in 2024 to 39,883 cattle marketed on a year-to-date (YTD) basis (Jan–Aug).
Beef exports totalled 1,470,109 kg in August, down 54.5% from 3,231,956 kg in August 2024.
The market mix was heavily Europe-led, with the EU accounting for 74.9%, Norway 16.8%, and the UK 5.0%.
The Board explained that shipments to China were at 3.3%, while exports within Africa were negligible in the month. The reason for the low supply, according to the Board, is the ongoing restocking/herd rebuilding.
“The softer export out-turn aligns with August cattle throughput (fewer EU-eligible slaughter cattle and ongoing herd retention after a drought season),” the Livestock Board wrote.
On a YTD (Jan–Aug) outlook, exports stand at 8.40 million kg, 52.4% lower than the 17.64 million kg recorded over the same period in 2024. Producer prices remained firm on constrained supply, the Board noted.
In August, the S-VCF B2 producer price averaged N$72.12/kg, above last year’s level, with the 2025 YTD average at N$69.36/kg—up N$8.23, 13.5% compared to the same period in 2024. At auctions, weaners averaged N$30.27/kg in August; the 2025 YTD average stands at N$29.80/kg, N$4.31, 16.9% higher than the same period in 2024.
According to the Board insights, the strongest full-year movement thus far is in cow-lean prices, up 33.9% on a YTD basis versus 2024.
The Board added that the price gains continue to offset volume losses, but production levels remain below last year’s trends.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
