NCA marketed livestock valued at N$29.3m

A total of 3 212 cattle, 296 pigs, 70 goats and five sheep were marketed in the northern communal areas (NCAs) at auctions and local abattoirs from January to April, to the value of N$29.3 million.According to the Meat Board of Namibia, this shows that cattle off-take for the reporting period increased in the NCAs by 83.4%, compared to 2021.“This huge increase is mainly due to a foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] outbreak in the protection zone in October 2020 that restricted marketing.”As a result, only 532 cattle were marketed between January and April 2021.The Meat Board said that the Namibian livestock and meat industry and its relationship with the NCAs continues to take prominent strides.According to statistics, 1 307 heads of cattle were sold at auction in the NCAs from January to April at a total estimated value of N$9.6 million.The cattle were supplied by 351 producers.Of the 1 543 cattle registered at auctions, 84.7% were sold, it said.Producer willingness“This is testimony to NCA producer willingness to market livestock due to the continued support from the Meat Board, in partnership with other industry stakeholders and its NCA regional offices in Ongwediva, Rundu and Katima Mulilo.”During the same period in 2021, no auction events were conducted due to an outbreak of FMD.The Meat Board further said that between January and April 2022, the sale of oxen took the lead at NCA auctions, representing 36.88% of total cattle sold, followed by steers with 20.35%.Weaners sold the least along with cows and calves, representing 0.08% and 0.15% respectively.For the period January to April 2022, a total of 1 905 cattle valued at N$19.7 million were slaughtered at local NCA abattoirs.This represented a 72% increase in cattle slaughtered at local abattoirs compared to the same period in 2021.Inhibiting factorsAccording to the board, factors that inhibit market opportunities for the NCAs include the separation of these areas from the World Organisation for Animal Health-recognised FMD-free zones beyond the veterinary cordon fence.Other factors are occasional FMD outbreaks in the protection zone, poor marketing opportunities for NCA abattoirs leading to poor visibility and low cattle marketing off-take as a result of low volumes marketed, which leads to difficulties in attending economies of scale.

NCA marketed livestock valued at N$29.3m

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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NCA marketed livestock valued at N$29.3m

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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