Beef exports up by 38%
Rundu abattoir expected to resume operations
Export-approved abattoirs have increased their supply of beef into the domestic market and this has reduced the volumes of beef entering the country.
Beef exports mirrored the increased slaughtering observed at export-approved abattoirs during the second quarter of this year.
Exports totalled 5 039 tonnes during this time, up by 38.8% from the 3 630 tonnes recorded in the corresponding 2022 period.
Additionally, the Rundu abattoir is expected to resume operations in the coming months, the Meat Board said its second-quarter statistical report.
“This will serve as an additional marketing stream for northern farmers, which will inadvertently complement beef exports to regional markets.”
Export-approved abattoirs have over the past couple of months increased their supply of beef into the domestic market and this has reduced the volumes of beef entering the country, particularly offal products, it said.
Beef trade balance
During the quarter under review, beef imports dropped by 52.4% from the 547 tonnes imported during 2022 to 260 tonnes this year.
These imports comprised of offal and canned beef only, which accounted for 23.8 % and 76.5% of all beef imports respectively.
“Beef trade balance has improved by 4 799 tonnes in 2023, showing a better balance of trade position due to increased production and export of beef.”
According to the Meat Board, a total of 78 212 cattle were marketed during the second quarter of this year, an 8% increase from that of 2022.
It said the ratio between live exports and slaughtering in the country improved by 53% regarding all cattle slaughtered at A-, B- and C-class abattoirs, while the live exports market share reduced and averaged 47%.
This is a decline of 5.9% in total marketing, it said.
“Marketing signals appear to be well-functioning in the livestock and meat industry as producers responded well to relatively attractive prices offered by A-class abattoirs.”
Producer prices
The Meat Board said B2 producer prices paid by export-approved abattoirs south of the veterinary cordon fence averaged at N$61.06/kg during the second quarter, which is a 0.5% increase from the average of N$60.77/kg paid last year during the same period.
Meanwhile, weaner prices struggled to recover during the second quarter of this year and averaged N$24.97/kg.
This is a decline of 31.7% compared to the 2022 level of N$36.58/kg.
“The situation is attributed to the decline in demand for Namibian weaners by South Africa, while South African weaners fetched relatively higher prices and averaged N$32.05/kg.”
This is N$7.08/kg higher than Namibian weaner prices during the second quarter of this year.
“The weaner/B2 producer price ratio reached an all-time low ratio of 40.9% during the quarter under review from the ideal 64% benchmark as a result of extremely low weaner prices recorded in 2023. Sustaining the 64% ratio would result in maintaining balance in the industry among market segments,” the Meat Board said.
Exports totalled 5 039 tonnes during this time, up by 38.8% from the 3 630 tonnes recorded in the corresponding 2022 period.
Additionally, the Rundu abattoir is expected to resume operations in the coming months, the Meat Board said its second-quarter statistical report.
“This will serve as an additional marketing stream for northern farmers, which will inadvertently complement beef exports to regional markets.”
Export-approved abattoirs have over the past couple of months increased their supply of beef into the domestic market and this has reduced the volumes of beef entering the country, particularly offal products, it said.
Beef trade balance
During the quarter under review, beef imports dropped by 52.4% from the 547 tonnes imported during 2022 to 260 tonnes this year.
These imports comprised of offal and canned beef only, which accounted for 23.8 % and 76.5% of all beef imports respectively.
“Beef trade balance has improved by 4 799 tonnes in 2023, showing a better balance of trade position due to increased production and export of beef.”
According to the Meat Board, a total of 78 212 cattle were marketed during the second quarter of this year, an 8% increase from that of 2022.
It said the ratio between live exports and slaughtering in the country improved by 53% regarding all cattle slaughtered at A-, B- and C-class abattoirs, while the live exports market share reduced and averaged 47%.
This is a decline of 5.9% in total marketing, it said.
“Marketing signals appear to be well-functioning in the livestock and meat industry as producers responded well to relatively attractive prices offered by A-class abattoirs.”
Producer prices
The Meat Board said B2 producer prices paid by export-approved abattoirs south of the veterinary cordon fence averaged at N$61.06/kg during the second quarter, which is a 0.5% increase from the average of N$60.77/kg paid last year during the same period.
Meanwhile, weaner prices struggled to recover during the second quarter of this year and averaged N$24.97/kg.
This is a decline of 31.7% compared to the 2022 level of N$36.58/kg.
“The situation is attributed to the decline in demand for Namibian weaners by South Africa, while South African weaners fetched relatively higher prices and averaged N$32.05/kg.”
This is N$7.08/kg higher than Namibian weaner prices during the second quarter of this year.
“The weaner/B2 producer price ratio reached an all-time low ratio of 40.9% during the quarter under review from the ideal 64% benchmark as a result of extremely low weaner prices recorded in 2023. Sustaining the 64% ratio would result in maintaining balance in the industry among market segments,” the Meat Board said.
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