Cattle marketing sees slight growth in third quarter

Cattle marketing in Namibia saw a modest increase in the third quarter of 2024, with 99 451 cattle marketed compared to 98 016 during the same period last year.

This represents a 1.5% increase, according to Livestock and Livestock Products Board trade and strategic marketing statistician Fransina Angula.

“The growth recorded is attributed to improved throughput at export-approved abattoirs during the quarter under review that increased by 23.3%,” Angula said yesterday.

Abattoirs north of the veterinary cordon fence (redline) saw good performance; the Rundu abattoir processed 1 017 animals and the Katima Mulilo abattoir handled 957 animals.

However, the demand for local weaners by South African feedlots and farmers declined during the quarter.

This led to a subsequent decline in the number of animals exported on hoof, with a total of 47 714 heads exported – 7.7% lower than the 51 690 heads exported during the third quarter of 2023.

Angula further said year-on-year livestock prices within the cattle sector faced downward pressure and recorded lower levels during the quarter.

South of the redline, weaner prices remained below N$25 per kilogram during the first two months of the quarter and averaged N$24.64/kg by the end of the third quarter.

“This is 4.7% lower than the south of the redline weaner price recorded during the corresponding quarter of 2023. Weaner prices are, however, expected to start improving as feedlots have commenced stocking for the festive season,” Angula said.

Year-on-year, the B2 producer carcass price dropped by N$1.11/kg and averaged N$60.54/kg during the third quarter of 2024, relative to the N$61.65/kg paid to producers during the same period in 2023.

Internationally, Namibian producer prices traded below the United States, European Union (EU), Argentina and Uruguay producer prices.

“Australian beef prices largely remained under pressure due to the oversupply of animals in the market following unfavourable climatic conditions resulting in an increased supply of beef globally,” Angula said.

On the meat trading front, beef exports totaled 6 667 811 kilograms during the first two months of the third quarter, growing by 60.8%, bringing year-to-date total beef exports to various destinations to 17 635 903 kg, which is 66.2% higher than the 2023 level.

The EU market absorbed 50.2% of total beef exports, while South Africa, the United Kingdom and Norway took 22.7%, 16.4% and 8.3%, respectively, as top destinations.

“On the other hand, year-to-date beef imports primarily in the form of processed and offal products are down by 0.6%, pointing to a marginal reduction in the availability of locally produced offal,” Angula said.