Chicken marketing hits record high in September

Namibia’s poultry sector is showing signs of strengthening, with higher chicken slaughter volumes, increased egg marketing and declining imports pointing to growing domestic supply.

According to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) Market Watch report for September, local chicken marketing reached a 2025/2026 high, with more than 2.17 million birds marketed, up 23.48% from 1.76 million in September 2025 and 9.62% from August.

Namib Poultry Industries accounted for 71.42% of September slaughter, or more than 1.55 million birds. Maranatha Abattoir followed with 325 450 birds (14.93%), Kadila Poultry Farming with 229 203 (10.52%) and Hochland Farms with 61 953 (2.84%).

Year-to-date chicken marketing reached 17.88 million birds, 24.47% higher than the 14.36 million recorded during the same period last year. Maranatha, which did not slaughter chickens in 2025, contributed 2.08 million birds. Excluding its contribution, marketing was still 9.96% higher year-on-year.

Local poultry production increased by 4.75% month-on-month to approximately 3.83 million kg in September. Production is forecast to ease slightly to 3.78 million kg in October.

However, rising feed costs could put pressure on producers. Soybean prices increased by 8.75% in September to N$8 823 per tonne, while yellow maize rose by 8.8% to N$3 990. Since June, prices have climbed by 30.75% and 25.74%, respectively.

Eggs

The egg market also recorded growth, with local producers marketing 11.14 million eggs in September, 4.49% more than a year earlier and 10.49% above August.

Waldschmidt Eggs accounted for 89.20% of the monthly total, marketing 9.94 million eggs. A further 108 000 eggs were exported to Botswana. Year-to-date egg marketing reached 94.01 million, up 13.09% from 2025.

Meanwhile, poultry and poultry product imports declined by 5.4% year-on-year to 15.10 million kg during January to September. South Africa remained the largest supplier, accounting for 48.2%, followed by Poland at 23.4%.

September imports fell by 22.74% month-on-month to 1.89 million kg, with mechanically deboned meat accounting for 76.36% of the total.