Namibia's livestock and livestock products sector showed broadly positive trends in February 2026, with growth recorded across cattle, sheep, goat, poultry, and egg marketing.

The cattle industry recorded modest growth, supported by higher slaughtering and increased live exports to South Africa, underpinned by firm carcass and competitive weaner prices.

Sheep marketing surged on the back of strong live exports and higher throughput at export abattoirs, while pig marketing rose slightly and pork imports declined

Cattle Sector

Year to date cattle marketing reached 30 960 head, reflecting a 0.6% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025. On a month on month basis, cattle marketing rose sharply by 59.6%, increasing from 11 925 head in January 2026 to 19 035 head in February 2026. Year on year total cattle slaughtering rose by 11.7% to 12 988 head, underscoring improved herd availability and stronger producer confidence amid favourable market conditions. 

Live exports increased by 34.1% year on year to 6 047 head, with South Africa absorbing 100% of total live exports, reflecting robust demand from South African feedlots. Export abattoirs accounted for 55.4% of total market share, followed by live exports at 31.8% and domestic abattoirs at 12.8%.

The s-VCF beef all-grade average stood at N$74.12/kg, N$6.84/kg higher than the corresponding 2025 level. The B2 carcass price averaged N$80.04/kg, while the weaner price averaged N$31.59/kg during the review period. Beef exports reached 1 143 911 kg in February 2026, a sharp rise from the 491 171 kg recorded in February 2025, with consignments directed to the European Union, Norway, Greece, South Africa, and Lesotho.

Hide and processed leather exports totalled 193 106 units to South Africa and the United Kingdom, with year to date exports reaching 236 969, a 41% increase on the corresponding 2025 period.

Sheep Sector

Sheep marketing surged by 69.3% year on year to 62 136 head in February 2026, while month on month growth of 20.2% reflected increased throughput and improved supply conditions. Live exports recorded a substantial year on year increase of 96.7% to 47 838 head, with South Africa absorbing 100% of exports.

Slaughter activities at export abattoirs rose sharply by 61% year on year to 7 946 head, while local abattoirs recorded a 14.9% decline to 6 352 head. The average producer price stood at N$64.09/kg in February 2026, up N$2.56/kg from the 2025 average of N$61.53/kg. Lamb and mutton export volumes increased by 22.9% year on year to 47 272 kg, with 54.1% destined for South Africa and 45.9% for Norway, which provides lucrative prices for Namibia's deboned lamb cuts.

Goat Sector

The goat sector recorded a year on year increase of 13.5%, with 7 741 goats marketed in February 2026 compared to 6 818 in the corresponding 2025 period, bringing year to date marketing to 14 495 head.

Growth was driven entirely by live exports, with 7 720 goats representing 100% of total exports shipped to South Africa, highlighting stronger regional demand for Namibian goats.

The goat lamb auction price averaged N$39.58/kg, N$1.44/kg higher than the 2025 corresponding period.

Pork Sector

Year to date total marketing of pigs at LLPBN-approved abattoirs stood at 8 462 head, compared to 8 215 during the same period in 2025. On a year on year basis, 4 090 pigs were marketed in February 2026, representing a 2.8% increase.

The pork ceiling price under the Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme remains set at N$55.17/kg. Pork imports totalled 566 139 kg in February 2026, a 21% decline compared to the same period in 2025. Spain led imports with 29.2%, followed by Germany at 20.3%, South Africa at 14.6%, and Denmark at 13.8%, with the remainder sourced from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, China, Brazil, and Ireland.

Poultry and Poultry Products

Year to date chicken marketing totalled 3 272 776 head, representing an 18.2% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025, reflecting growing momentum in the broiler production segment.

On a month on month basis, chicken marketing declined by 7% to 1 576 617 head in February 2026. Year to date poultry meat imports rose by 8.2% to 4 163 401 kg, with Poland emerging as the leading supplier at 41.7%, followed by Brazil at 25.8%, the Netherlands at 14.2%, and Argentina at 8.3%.

The poultry industry faces potential threats from Avian Influenza outbreaks in South Africa, which pose significant risks to Namibia's sectoral production and trade. Year to date egg marketing totalled 19 187 307 eggs, a 35.8% increase year on year, though month on month marketing declined by 8.2% to 9 184 394 eggs in February 2026.

Dairy Sector

Year to date domestic milk production declined by 4.6% in February 2026, falling from 2 424 573 litres recorded in February 2025 to 2 313 580 litres. On a month on month basis, domestic milk production contracted by 18.9% to 1 036 035 litres, with the segment continuing to face challenges including a low production base and rising input costs. 

To offset this shortfall, year to date dairy product imports rose sharply by 59.2% to 6 111 095 litres. Namibia's milk self-sufficiency ratio stood at approximately 58.3% in February 2026, up from January's 49.3%, yet still indicating considerable dependence on external supply. 

Milk producer prices remained at an average of N$6.70 per litre. South Africa accounted for 94.3% of total year to date dairy product imports, followed by Sweden at 3.4% and Denmark at 1.9%.

Outlook

The livestock and livestock products industry performance during the review period showcased resilience in beef and pork while highlighting growth in sheep, goat, poultry, and egg marketing. The sector's dependency on South Africa for small-stock trade and increased reliance on external poultry and dairy industries persist.

Positive price developments and improved throughput indicate heightened producer confidence; however, long-term sustainability hinges on market diversification and enhancing domestic production capacity.