In January, livestock marketing dropped across all sectors, with a 49.1% decline in total cattle marketed. Live exports fell by 68.2%. Significant declines were observed in sheep (65.1%) and goat (34.9%) sectors. Despite some price increases for cattle and poultry, overall livestock activities saw major reductions in throughput and marketing, alongside ongoing import/export transactions.
In January, livestock marketing faced a notable decline across all sectors, as reported by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB). Total cattle marketed fell to 11,797, marking a significant 49.1% drop from 23,166 in January of the previous year. The highest decline was seen in live exports, which decreased by 68.2%, alongside a 56% reduction in throughput at B&C class abattoirs.
Fransina Angula, LLPB’s Trade and Marketing Statistician, noted that the average carcass price for S-VCF beef all-grades increased to N$64.01/kg. The s-VCF B2 producer price also rose, averaging N$70.20/kg, while the domestic weaner price reached an average of N$28.59/kg and n-VCF tolly price averaged N$31.39/kg.
The sheep sector reported a 65.1% decline, with live exports down by 52.4%, totaling 12,571 heads. Slaughtering at export-approved and local abattoirs decreased by 90.8%, primarily for the domestic market. The average Namibian A2 producer price was N$90.41/kg, with the Northern Cape A2 producer price as a benchmark at N$89.75/kg.
Goat marketing figures also dropped by 34.9%, with 4,515 goats compared to 6,932 the previous year. The lamb auction price averaged N$42.31/kg. The pig sector saw a slight 2% decline, with 4,222 marketed at LLPBN approved abattoirs. Pork imports amounted to 594,330 kg, predominantly from Germany, South Africa, and Spain.
In the poultry sector, 1,171,897 live chickens were slaughtered, with 996 day-old chicks imported for breeding. The average producer price for medium-sized eggs was N$3.74. Processed chicken exports included 399,294 kg sent to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, while total imports amounted to 2,368,150 kg, with 69.4% from Poland.
The dairy sector imported 596,179 liters of milk and 1,618,893 kg of various dairy products from South Africa, the EU, and Australia. Additionally, 56,590 pieces of hides were exported to South Africa, while 33,201 pieces of wet blue hides were imported from the same country during this period.
January marked a significant downturn in livestock marketing across various sectors, with declines in cattle, sheep, goat, pig, poultry, and dairy products. Notably, cattle marketing fell by 49.1%, and the sheep sector faced a drastic 65.1% drop. Despite the reductions, some prices experienced increases, indicating fluctuating market conditions. Import and export activities continued during this period, reflecting ongoing trading dynamics.
Original Source: economist.com.na
