N$32.5m cattle bound for Mauritius as island lifts FMD ban

Namibia is preparing to export 2 500 cattle valued at approximately N$32.5 million to Mauritius, following the island nation's decision to lift a month-long suspension on livestock imports imposed after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in southern Namibia.The latest consignment, being assembled at Kilo 40 Farm north of Otjiwarongo, follows Mauritius' decision on 26 October to reopen its market to Namibian livestock after suspending imports on 25 September.After Namibia's FMD outbreak was declared, Mauritian authorities cancelled import permits as a precautionary measure.Kilo 40 farm manager Jan Hendrick Labuschagne told Namibian Sun that more than 20 trucks were loaded with cattle on Monday, with transportation to the Port of Walvis Bay scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.Labuschagne said the cattle were purchased at auctions and directly from farmers across Namibia before being assembled at Kilo 40 for export.He estimated the consignment's value at N$32.5 million, based on an average price of N$13 000 per animal.Between 500 and 700 cattle came from Kilo 40 itself, while the remainder were sourced from other livestock producers.Labuschagne described Mauritius as the farm's largest export market in terms of the number of cattle sold.Imports resumeAccording to the Mauritian government, the ban was lifted after careful assessment.The reopening remains subject to veterinary import permits and compliance with sanitary requirements.The island nation started importing live cattle from Namibia in March this year, when approximately 3 000 live animals were shipped from Walvis Bay.A second consignment of 2 700 live cattle followed in April, transported to the port aboard 28 trucks.The two shipments established Namibia as an alternative livestock supplier after FMD outbreaks in South Africa disrupted Mauritius' traditional cattle supplies.The November consignment brings the three reported shipments, including the animals awaiting departure, to approximately 8 200 cattle.Mauritian authorities also announced on 30 October that the country expected to receive approximately 9 000 livestock animals from Namibia by the end of November, including cattle, goats and sheep. It has not been established whether the latest Kilo 40 consignment forms part of those expected imports.Export requirementsThe April consignment consisted mainly of cattle weighing between 250 kg and 390 kg, below the 450 kg threshold associated with local value addition and slaughter at Namibian export abattoirs.These lighter animals were exempt from the standard 30% government export levy under the applicable export arrangements.At the time, Dr Anja Boshoff-de Witt, executive for quality assurance at the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, confirmed that the necessary export permits had been issued.“The required permits were issued as confirmed by the marketing department of the LLPBN. The condition for such a permit is that a veterinary import permit has already been issued by the importing country, as well as a Namibian veterinary export permit,” de Witt said.phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

N$32.5m cattle bound for Mauritius as island lifts FMD ban

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

Please login to leave a comment

N$32.5m cattle bound for Mauritius as island lifts FMD ban

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content