The Meat Board of Namibia (MBN) has highlighted the following developments, as part of its Meat Industry Statistics for the period 1 January-31 March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

• All sectors and market segments were heavily affected by the devastating drought with the sheep sector the worst hit.

• Cattle marketing decreased by 31.39%, sheep marketing decreased by 59.25%, goat marketing decreased by 24.94% and pig marketing decreased by 5.91% compared to the first Quarter of 2019.

• Both B2 carcass prices and weaner auction prices improved compared to Quarter one of 2019 (beef B2 prices increased by 5.40% and weaner prices increased by 40.72%)

• Namibia A2 sheep prices improved by 9.03%, but slaughter numbers are currently at uneconomic levels because of the drought that has haunted the southern parts of Namibia over the past years.

• Pork imports strengthened by 36.87% during Quarter one in comparison to last year;

• Post-drought effects in the cattle sector and supply-side issues in the sheep sector appear to be the major factors driving the decline in production.

• MBN continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on industrial output and prices; with the real impact to show during the second quarter of 2020.