MEAT BOARD INTRODUCES MARKET TENDENCIES

12 Jun 2020

During the first term of 2020, 31.39% fewer cattle were marketed compared to the same period last year. Marketing decreased from 93,633 cattle to 64,245 cattle on a quarterly basis. Weaner exports also decreased by 22.90% from 63.417 cattle in 2019 to 48,896 cattle during 2020. The slaughtering of cattle has significantly decreased by 50%.

During this year’s first quarter, 15,349 cattle were slaughtered compared to the 30,216 cattle that were slaughtered during the same period in 2019.

Sheep marketing decreased significantly by 60.51% with 177,601 sheep marketed during the first quarter of 2019 compared to 70,141 sheep during the same period this year. Sheep slaughtered for export decreased from 52,903 sheep to 12,456 sheep during the first quarter whereas throughput of local abattoirs decreased from 50,502 sheep to 14,766 sheep during the same period. The downward tendency in sheep marketing is expected to continue for the rest of the year due to the scarce rainfall in the south of the country, as well as policy insecurities.

Goat marketing also decreased by 24.94% due to the insecurities brought about by COVID-19. Total goat marketing decreased from 26,509 during the first quarter of 2019 to 19,897 goats during the same period this year.

The Namibian livestock sector is weighed down by several challenges that include climate influences, policy uncertainties and the impact of COVID-19 on both the local and the international front. The impact of COVID-19 is expected to be more pronounced during the second quarter due to the decrease in consumer spending locally and overseas.

Furthermore, reduced household consumption, which has been fuelled by the closing of restaurants as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, is expected to influence the demand for high value cuts.