Cattle marketing experiences first decline
The livestock sector witnessed declines across all major livestock subsectors year-on-year, except for the pig sector during August.
The Livestock and Livestock Product Board (LLPB) said for the first time this year, overall cattle marketing saw a decline due to reduced activity at both export-approved and local abattoirs, as well as in live exports.
It said year-on-year total marketing dropped by 17.3%, with a month-on-month decline of 16.4%.
“This brings the total year-to-date total to 278 195 cattle marketed in 2024 compared to 210 807 marketed during the same period in 2023.”
Cattle exports fell by 24.3%, driven by a 26.8% decrease in exports to South Africa in August.
Moreover, year-on-year, weaner producer prices south of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) declined by 11.2%, averaging N$24.01/kg in August compared to N$27.04/kg in 2023. Furthermore, the beef all-grade producer carcass price south of the VCF dropped to N$56.44/kg in August, from N$61.10/kg recorded in August 2023, consequently bringing the year-to-date B2 carcass price to N$60.23/kg by the end of August 2024.
Meanwhile, north of the VCF, the tolly producer price averaged N$22.17/kg in August, N$1.28/kg lower than August 2023.
Small livestock
The sheep sector recorded a decline in marketing numbers during the period, with 48 232 sheep marketed in August, 26.5% lower than the 65 651 sheep marketed during the same period last year.
According to the LLPB, the year-to-date marketing total stood at 647 741 by the end of August.
“Slaughtering activities at both export-approved and local abattoirs dropped during August 2024, recording a combined decline of 54.2%.”
Lamb producer prices remained relatively stable during August.
LLPB said year-on-year, lamb and mutton exports declined by 17.3% during August compared to the same period last year.
Activities within the goat sector recorded a decline year-on-year, with 13 825 goats marketed in August, while year-to-date marketing totalled 90 870 goats by the end of August, marking a 0.9% decline.
Goat lamb prices year-to-date averaged N$30.48/kg by the end of August.
Pork sector
The LLPB said pig slaughtering for the period under review totalled 4 171 pigs, a 13.2% growth in comparison to a slaughter quantity of 3 686 pigs during the same period last year.
A total of 724 174 kg of pork was imported during August to complement local production.
Of the imported pork, 65.2% originated from Germany, followed by South Africa, Spain and Belgium with a market share of 20.5%, 8.1% and 3.6%, respectively.
The Livestock and Livestock Product Board (LLPB) said for the first time this year, overall cattle marketing saw a decline due to reduced activity at both export-approved and local abattoirs, as well as in live exports.
It said year-on-year total marketing dropped by 17.3%, with a month-on-month decline of 16.4%.
“This brings the total year-to-date total to 278 195 cattle marketed in 2024 compared to 210 807 marketed during the same period in 2023.”
Cattle exports fell by 24.3%, driven by a 26.8% decrease in exports to South Africa in August.
Moreover, year-on-year, weaner producer prices south of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) declined by 11.2%, averaging N$24.01/kg in August compared to N$27.04/kg in 2023. Furthermore, the beef all-grade producer carcass price south of the VCF dropped to N$56.44/kg in August, from N$61.10/kg recorded in August 2023, consequently bringing the year-to-date B2 carcass price to N$60.23/kg by the end of August 2024.
Meanwhile, north of the VCF, the tolly producer price averaged N$22.17/kg in August, N$1.28/kg lower than August 2023.
Small livestock
The sheep sector recorded a decline in marketing numbers during the period, with 48 232 sheep marketed in August, 26.5% lower than the 65 651 sheep marketed during the same period last year.
According to the LLPB, the year-to-date marketing total stood at 647 741 by the end of August.
“Slaughtering activities at both export-approved and local abattoirs dropped during August 2024, recording a combined decline of 54.2%.”
Lamb producer prices remained relatively stable during August.
LLPB said year-on-year, lamb and mutton exports declined by 17.3% during August compared to the same period last year.
Activities within the goat sector recorded a decline year-on-year, with 13 825 goats marketed in August, while year-to-date marketing totalled 90 870 goats by the end of August, marking a 0.9% decline.
Goat lamb prices year-to-date averaged N$30.48/kg by the end of August.
Pork sector
The LLPB said pig slaughtering for the period under review totalled 4 171 pigs, a 13.2% growth in comparison to a slaughter quantity of 3 686 pigs during the same period last year.
A total of 724 174 kg of pork was imported during August to complement local production.
Of the imported pork, 65.2% originated from Germany, followed by South Africa, Spain and Belgium with a market share of 20.5%, 8.1% and 3.6%, respectively.
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