January saw a drastic decline in livestock marketing, with a 49.1% decrease in cattle marketed and significant drops in sheep and goat exports. While prices for some livestock increased, overall sector performance indicates critical challenges for livestock producers.
In January, livestock marketing experienced a severe decline across all sectors, according to a report by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB). Fransina Angula, the board’s Trade and Marketing Statistician, noted a total of 11,797 cattle were marketed in January, reflecting a substantial 49.1% decrease from the previous year’s total of 23,166 animals.
Live exports faced the most drastic decline, plummeting by 68.2%, while throughput at B&C class abattoirs reduced by 56%. Despite these challenges, the S-VCF beef all-grade average carcass price rose to N$64.01/kg, and the domestic weaner price saw a slight increase, averaging N$28.59/kg.
The sheep sector also recorded a significant decline of 65.1% in January. Live exports dropped by 52.4% to 12,571 heads, and slaughtering at approved abattoirs decreased by 90.8%, predominantly serving the domestic market. The Namibian A2 producer price averaged N$90.41/kg, while exports of processed mutton to South Africa and Botswana reached only 272 kg.
In the goat sector, a decline of 34.9% was noted with 4,515 goats marketed compared to 6,932 the previous year. The average lamb auction price was recorded at N$42.31/kg for the month. The pig sector also decreased slightly by 2%, with 4,222 pigs marketed and the import of pork totaling 594,330 kg, predominantly from Germany.
The poultry sector reported the slaughter of approximately 1,171,897 live chickens and imported 996 day-old chicks for breeding purposes. The average producer price for medium-sized eggs was N$3.74. Notably, 399,294 kg of processed chicken products were exported to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, whilst imports totaled 2,368,150 kg, mainly from Poland.
Lastly, the dairy sector imported 596,179 liters of milk and 1,618,893 kg of dairy products, primarily from South Africa, the EU, and Australia. Additionally, 56,590 pieces of hides were exported to South Africa, and 33,201 wet blue hides were imported from the same country during this period.
The livestock marketing sector has faced significant downturns in January across various categories, prominently including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry. The declines are attributed to factors such as reduced exports and abattoir throughput. Despite price increases in certain categories, the overall decline raises concerns for the industry and suggests the need for strategic interventions.
Original Source: economist.com.na
