Livestock sector booms in February

Namibia’s livestock and livestock products sector recorded broadly positive performance in February 2026, with growth observed across cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and egg marketing.

The cattle industry posted modest gains, supported by higher slaughtering rates and increased live exports to South Africa, underpinned by firm carcass prices and competitive weaner prices. Sheep marketing rose sharply, driven by strong live exports and higher throughput at export abattoirs. Pig marketing increased slightly, while pork imports declined. The dairy sector, however, recorded a contraction in domestic milk production, offset by a notable rise in imports, primarily from South Africa.

Cattle sector

Year-to-date cattle marketing reached 30 960 head, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.6% compared to the same period in 2025. Month on month, volumes rose significantly by 59.6%, from 11 925 head in January to 19 035 head in February 2026.

Total cattle slaughtering increased by 11.7% year on year to 12 988 head, indicating improved herd availability and stronger producer confidence under favourable market conditions.

Live exports rose by 34.1% year on year to 6 047 head, with South Africa accounting for the entire export share. Export abattoirs held 55.4% of the market, followed by live exports at 31.8% and domestic abattoirs at 12.8%.

The s-VCF beef all-grade average stood at N$74.12/kg, up N$6.84/kg from 2025 levels. The B2 carcass price averaged N$80.04/kg, while weaner prices averaged N$31.59/kg.

Beef exports reached 1.14 million kg in February 2026, more than doubling from 491 171 kg recorded in February 2025. Key export destinations included the European Union, Norway, Greece, South Africa and Lesotho.

Hide and processed leather exports totalled 193 106 units during the month, with year-to-date volumes reaching 236 969 - a 41% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Sheep sector

Sheep marketing increased by 69.3% year on year to 62 136 head in February 2026, while month-on-month growth of 20.2% reflected improved supply and higher throughput.

Live exports surged by 96.7% to 47 838 head, with all exports destined for South Africa.

Slaughtering at export abattoirs rose by 61% year on year to 7 946 head, while local abattoirs recorded a decline of 14.9% to 6 352 head.

The average producer price increased to N$64.09/kg, up from N$61.53/kg in 2025. Lamb and mutton exports rose by 22.9% year on year to 47 272 kg, with 54.1% exported to South Africa and 45.9% to Norway, where demand for deboned lamb cuts remains strong.

Goat sector

The goat sector recorded year-on-year growth of 13.5%, with 7 741 goats marketed in February 2026, up from 6 818 in the same period in 2025. Year-to-date marketing reached 14 495 head.

Growth was driven entirely by live exports, with 7 720 goats exported - all to South Africa - highlighting sustained regional demand.

The average goat lamb auction price stood at N$39.58/kg, an increase of N$1.44/kg compared to 2025.

Pork sector

Year-to-date pig marketing at LLPBN-approved abattoirs reached 8 462 head, up from 8 215 in the corresponding 2025 period. In February 2026, 4 090 pigs were marketed, representing a 2.8% year-on-year increase.

The pork ceiling price under the Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme remained at N$55.17/kg.

Pork imports declined by 21% year on year to 566 139 kg. Spain was the largest supplier at 29.2%, followed by Germany (20.3%), South Africa (14.6%) and Denmark (13.8%). Smaller volumes were sourced from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, China, Brazil and Ireland.

Poultry and poultry products

Year-to-date chicken marketing reached 3.27 million birds, an increase of 18.2% compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting continued growth in broiler production.

Monthly, however, chicken marketing declined by 7% to 1.58 million birds in February 2026.

Poultry meat imports rose by 8.2% year to date to 4.16 million kg. Poland emerged as the leading supplier at 41.7%, followed by Brazil (25.8%), the Netherlands (14.2%) and Argentina (8.3%).

The sector remains exposed to potential risks from avian influenza outbreaks in South Africa, which could affect both production and trade.

Egg marketing increased significantly, with year-to-date volumes rising by 35.8% to 19.19 million eggs. Month-on-month volumes, however, declined by 8.2% to 9.18 million eggs in February.

Dairy sector

Domestic milk production declined by 4.6% year on year, falling to 2.31 million litres in February 2026 from 2.42 million litres in February 2025. Monthly production dropped by 18.9% to 1.04 million litres.

The sector continues to face structural challenges, including a low production base and rising input costs.

To offset the shortfall, dairy imports increased by 59.2% year to date to 6.11 million litres. Namibia’s milk self-sufficiency ratio improved to 58.3% in February, up from 49.3% in January, but still indicates a high level of import dependence.

Milk producer prices remained stable at an average of N$6.70 per litre.

South Africa accounted for 94.3% of total dairy imports, followed by Sweden (3.4%) and Denmark (1.9%).

Outlook

The sector’s performance in February 2026 highlights resilience in beef and pork, alongside strong growth in sheep, goat, poultry and egg marketing.

However, reliance on South Africa for small-stock exports, as well as continued dependence on imported poultry and dairy products, remains a structural concern.

While improved prices and higher throughput point to increased producer confidence, long-term sustainability will depend on market diversification and strengthening domestic production capacity.