Uncertain future for Namibia’s pork sector
Namibian pork prices among highest globally
Improvements in production technologies have led to increased global pork production, despite volatile prices over the past decade.
According to Ace Mutelo, manager of information systems at the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), moderate growth is expected over the next several years, accompanied by price increases.
However, countries like Namibia need to add more value locally to decrease dependency on imports, Mutelo said.
He made these remarks during a brief overview of the pork industry at the Pig Producers Association (PPA) information day in Windhoek recently.
The volume of pork production in Namibia has increased since the introduction of the pork market share promotion scheme (PMSPS), Mutelo said.
The latest LLPBN market review shows that pork production has increased by 3.7% over the past year.
Mutelo, however, expressed concern about the sector’s future, noting that the scheme will end in September 2028.
“Joining the PPA and registering with the LLPBN means that farmers benefit from the pork ceiling price of N$51.03 per kg. We need more producers to register, especially small-scale farmers who often feel neglected or left to fend for themselves," he added.
He said it is critically important for the sector to have a larger, united voice, as it cannot predict what will happen once the scheme ends.
High costs
Mutelo also highlighted a significant gap in production costs, with large-scale producers averaging N$42.61 per kg, compared with N$64.63 per kg for small-scale farmers.
He said that, with a 20% production incentive, large-scale producers would need to be paid N$51.13 per kg to remain profitable, while SME farmers would require N$77.55 per kg.
In light of this, the LLPBN is proposing a new ceiling price of N$52.93 per kg for registered pork producers.
“The Namibian pork price remains among the highest in the world. The profitability of farmers is, however, lower due to significant input costs for feed," said Mutelo.
He said reducing feed costs requires more competitive local production.
“Currently, the LLPBN cannot intervene because the raw materials used in animal feed production fall under the Namibian Agronomic Board, which focuses on food security for Namibia," he explained.
"Regulatory changes may be needed to make feed a controlled product, which will open production interventions for organisations such as the LLPBN.”
Big growth
According to the 2024–2033 agricultural outlook, compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global demand for pork is expected to increase.
Mutelo said pork consumption is predicted to rise from around 122 million tonnes to 131 million tonnes by 2033, representing an annual growth rate of 0.5%.
In the LLPBN's second-quarter (Q2) review, registered pig abattoirs slaughtered a total of 13 077 pigs, marking a 6.8% increase from 12 244 in the same period last year.
The pork market remained dominated by imports due to rising consumer demand and Namibia’s inability to meet local production needs.
Excluding processed products, the local pork market share rose from 35.8% to 52.28% during Q2 2025. Including processed pork, local production met 46.06% of Namibian consumption requirements.
The average slaughter mass of pigs averaged 98.77 kg. The ceiling price remained fixed at N$51.03 per kilogram, while the benchmark price of the Red Meat Abattoirs Association in South Africa averaged N$32.47 per kilogram.
The pork market share has improved since 2011, both in local production and imports. Between January and June 2011, 656 tonnes were produced locally, and 1 299 tonnes were imported.
In the corresponding 2025 period, 2 374 tonnes were produced locally, and 2 416 tonnes were imported. Imports are dominated by pork offal (51%) and processed meat (30%).
“Pressure continues to mount on Namibia to open its marketing channels for both import and export,” Mutelo said.
According to Ace Mutelo, manager of information systems at the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), moderate growth is expected over the next several years, accompanied by price increases.
However, countries like Namibia need to add more value locally to decrease dependency on imports, Mutelo said.
He made these remarks during a brief overview of the pork industry at the Pig Producers Association (PPA) information day in Windhoek recently.
The volume of pork production in Namibia has increased since the introduction of the pork market share promotion scheme (PMSPS), Mutelo said.
The latest LLPBN market review shows that pork production has increased by 3.7% over the past year.
Mutelo, however, expressed concern about the sector’s future, noting that the scheme will end in September 2028.
“Joining the PPA and registering with the LLPBN means that farmers benefit from the pork ceiling price of N$51.03 per kg. We need more producers to register, especially small-scale farmers who often feel neglected or left to fend for themselves," he added.
He said it is critically important for the sector to have a larger, united voice, as it cannot predict what will happen once the scheme ends.
High costs
Mutelo also highlighted a significant gap in production costs, with large-scale producers averaging N$42.61 per kg, compared with N$64.63 per kg for small-scale farmers.
He said that, with a 20% production incentive, large-scale producers would need to be paid N$51.13 per kg to remain profitable, while SME farmers would require N$77.55 per kg.
In light of this, the LLPBN is proposing a new ceiling price of N$52.93 per kg for registered pork producers.
“The Namibian pork price remains among the highest in the world. The profitability of farmers is, however, lower due to significant input costs for feed," said Mutelo.
He said reducing feed costs requires more competitive local production.
“Currently, the LLPBN cannot intervene because the raw materials used in animal feed production fall under the Namibian Agronomic Board, which focuses on food security for Namibia," he explained.
"Regulatory changes may be needed to make feed a controlled product, which will open production interventions for organisations such as the LLPBN.”
Big growth
According to the 2024–2033 agricultural outlook, compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global demand for pork is expected to increase.
Mutelo said pork consumption is predicted to rise from around 122 million tonnes to 131 million tonnes by 2033, representing an annual growth rate of 0.5%.
In the LLPBN's second-quarter (Q2) review, registered pig abattoirs slaughtered a total of 13 077 pigs, marking a 6.8% increase from 12 244 in the same period last year.
The pork market remained dominated by imports due to rising consumer demand and Namibia’s inability to meet local production needs.
Excluding processed products, the local pork market share rose from 35.8% to 52.28% during Q2 2025. Including processed pork, local production met 46.06% of Namibian consumption requirements.
The average slaughter mass of pigs averaged 98.77 kg. The ceiling price remained fixed at N$51.03 per kilogram, while the benchmark price of the Red Meat Abattoirs Association in South Africa averaged N$32.47 per kilogram.
The pork market share has improved since 2011, both in local production and imports. Between January and June 2011, 656 tonnes were produced locally, and 1 299 tonnes were imported.
In the corresponding 2025 period, 2 374 tonnes were produced locally, and 2 416 tonnes were imported. Imports are dominated by pork offal (51%) and processed meat (30%).
“Pressure continues to mount on Namibia to open its marketing channels for both import and export,” Mutelo said.
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