By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
For November 2025, Namibia’s hides and skins have been exported to 5 countries, diversifying from the usual primary market, South Africa, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia updates.
These products were exported to various nations within Southern Africa and continents such as Europe and Asia.
South Africa still dominates Namibia’s exports and imports, however, with overreliance on SACU increasingly calling for the country to diversify trading partners.
Namibia has increased its hides and skins production in November, which led the country to export 164,105 kg in November 2025, up from 95,483 kg recorded in October (M/M).Hides are harvested from the cattle slaughtered for beef, while skins are mostly from sheep.
As South Africa remained the primary market and absorbed 85,996 kg (52.4%), a notable export of 27,676 kg (16.9%) to Italy was recorded, with Vietnam at 27,406 (16.7%). Zimbabwe took up 18,892 kg (11.5%), and lastly the UK, which imported 4,135 kg (2.5%) of total exports.
Observations indicate that China imported a portion of hides and skins (18,807 tonnes) early in the year (March), but nothing more for the rest of the year. The Board has not revealed the reason for this in their updates.
According to the Board, the export markets presented “a more diversified market mix with new markets compared to earlier months when exports were concentrated almost entirely in South Africa.”
Namibia is known for its beef production and exports of prime cuts around the world, but it has not dominated the hides and skins. The country slaughters a number of cattle every year to produce beef, mostly from the southern side of the veterinary line.
By the end of November 2025 (latest data), the country had slaughtered 133,742 head in 2025 for beef production, down by 28.0% compared to 184,843 head slaughtered over the same period in 2024, with the by-products being hides.
In terms of skins, the country is also a producer of premium sheep meat, which is mostly served in restaurants. By the end of November 2025, the total number of sheep marketed stood at 506,417 head, lower than the 774,789 head recorded over the same period in 2024, a 34.6% contraction.
According to the Board, most of them were exported live to South Africa, affecting the skins production.
A similar trend is also observed in the hides production, as the country sells more live cattle monthly to South Africa, negatively affecting the potential of producing hides, which is a by-product of slaughtering for beef.
Despite the diversified market reach, The Villager has also collected various sentiments regarding the cost of leather-made products – specifically shoes – in the country, which now range between N$600 and N$1000 in various shops.
The Villager has not, however, contacted leather shoe producers on the causes of the price surge; whether it was due to leather supply or just the general cost of production in the country.
Last year, the Minister of Finance reduced the export levy on raw hides and skins. The raw skins and hides levy saw a reduction from 60% to 15%, and pickled skins from 15% to 10%.
According to the Ministry, the approach is balanced with retaining skin and hides for domestic value addition, but allowing for export of excess production for an additional revenue stream for producers.
