Namibia’s livestock market experienced a remarkable resurgence in February 2025, with the total number of animals marketed soaring by 42.5%, reaching 50,634 compared to the 35,519 recorded in January, as reported by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). Although this monthly increase is encouraging, the sector still faces considerable challenges when juxtaposed with February 2024, during which a total of 101,072 animals were marketed.
According to the latest NSA report, the Livestock Marketed Composite Index saw a healthy increase of 12.6% in February, a notable improvement from the 2.9% growth seen in January. However, it is important to note that this index has suffered a significant year-on-year decline of 42.6%.
Cattle exports to approved abattoirs and butchers displayed a steady upward trajectory, climbing by 12.2% during February. However, this growth was a step back from the more robust 16.3% increase recorded in January, and on an annual basis, the index experienced a contraction of 9.1%. The NSA detailed that the Cattle Export to Approved Abattoirs and Butchers Index, despite its monthly gain, has not managed to recover to previous levels.
In contrast, the index for live cattle exported on the hoof continued its downward trend, decreasing by 3.4% in February after a 3.3% decline in January, and exhibiting a staggering year-on-year decrease of 79.5%. Meanwhile, small stock exports to approved abattoirs and butchers staged a remarkable recovery, surging by 26.3% in February following a sharp 48.9% decline in January. Nonetheless, this recovery still leaves the index significantly lower year-on-year, facing a considerable drop of 71.8%.
In terms of absolute numbers, February 2025 saw 3,080 small stock sold to export-approved abattoirs and butchers. Among these, an overwhelming majority of 3,075 were sourced from the South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (S-VCF), while a mere five originated from the North (N-VCF), underscoring the geographical disparities in livestock sourcing.
Live small stock exports demonstrated a remarkable revival, with the index jumping by an impressive 82.1% in February, effectively reversing the 35.5% decline noted in January. However, despite this considerable rebound, it still reflects a notable year-on-year decline of 44.3% compared to February 2024.
Pig marketing trends displayed a mixed bag of results. The Pigs Slaughtered Index contracted by 6.1% in February, albeit an improvement compared to the 12.9% drop observed in January. Year-on-year, the index managed a modest growth of 3.1%. The NSA noted that the number of pigs slaughtered locally tallied at 3,965 heads in February 2025, slightly down from the 4,222 heads slaughtered in January but higher than the 3,847 heads from February 2024.
While February’s positive monthly figures show promise, the livestock sector remains entangled in broader market challenges and the impacts of climatic pressures, which are starkly reflected in the significant year-on-year declines across several key indices.
