Cattle numbers drop at auctions
Pressure is mounting barely one month after strict livestock import restrictions by South Africa came into effect. The latest statistics indicate a sharp drop in cattle prices and a dramatic decline in livestock numbers at auctions countrywide.
Since the implementation of South Africa’s new livestock import regulations on 1 July cattle exports have virtually come to a halt.
According to the latest figures released by the Livestock Auctioneers, Brokers, and Traders Association (LABTA), only 12 664 cattle were sold on auction in Namibia in July.
This is in comparison to the average number of 25 400 cattle that were sold on auction during the first six months of this year.
The numbers of weaners, young oxen and heifers, which are normally exported to South Africa, also dropped drastically at auctions in July.
Figures indicate that the number of weaners that were sold on auction dropped from an average of 1 491 to only 498 in July, while the number of young oxen sold dropped from 9 217 on average to 4 812 for the month of July.
The numbers also indicate that 2 904 heifers were sold in July while the average for the first half of the year was slightly more than 6 000.
The price of weaners has dropped from N$16.15/kg to N$14.51/kg and the price of young oxen decreased from N$18.12/kg to N$16.49/kg. The price of heifers dropped from N$16.07 to N$15.07.
The Meat Board of Namibia has described the new import regulations by South Africa as a trade barrier for Namibia and said they contributed to a further reduction in the producer price from N$16/kg to its current low of N$14/kg.
“The World Organisation for Animal Health recognises two types of export regulations, namely for breeding stock and that for slaughter stock, however the South African Department of Agriculture opted for the breeding regulation that is way stricter and resulted in additional cost for the producers,” the Meat Board said.
Meanwhile Meatco says there had been an uncommon upward trend in producer prices that peaked at N$37.45 early in 2016, followed by a gradual decline to date. The first quarter saw some of the highest prices paid in recent times, with a decreasing trend in the second quarter.
Meatco said it will try its best to keep the prices as stable as possible.
“While Namibia’s livestock sector, on which around 70% of our population depends, has been exporting an average of 160 000 weaners to neighbouring South Africa each year, the recent change in that country’s veterinary import regulations has now effectively stopped exports. However, it is too early to predict an outcome, as there are a number of requests to review these regulations,” it said.
ELLANIE SMIT
Since the implementation of South Africa’s new livestock import regulations on 1 July cattle exports have virtually come to a halt.
According to the latest figures released by the Livestock Auctioneers, Brokers, and Traders Association (LABTA), only 12 664 cattle were sold on auction in Namibia in July.
This is in comparison to the average number of 25 400 cattle that were sold on auction during the first six months of this year.
The numbers of weaners, young oxen and heifers, which are normally exported to South Africa, also dropped drastically at auctions in July.
Figures indicate that the number of weaners that were sold on auction dropped from an average of 1 491 to only 498 in July, while the number of young oxen sold dropped from 9 217 on average to 4 812 for the month of July.
The numbers also indicate that 2 904 heifers were sold in July while the average for the first half of the year was slightly more than 6 000.
The price of weaners has dropped from N$16.15/kg to N$14.51/kg and the price of young oxen decreased from N$18.12/kg to N$16.49/kg. The price of heifers dropped from N$16.07 to N$15.07.
The Meat Board of Namibia has described the new import regulations by South Africa as a trade barrier for Namibia and said they contributed to a further reduction in the producer price from N$16/kg to its current low of N$14/kg.
“The World Organisation for Animal Health recognises two types of export regulations, namely for breeding stock and that for slaughter stock, however the South African Department of Agriculture opted for the breeding regulation that is way stricter and resulted in additional cost for the producers,” the Meat Board said.
Meanwhile Meatco says there had been an uncommon upward trend in producer prices that peaked at N$37.45 early in 2016, followed by a gradual decline to date. The first quarter saw some of the highest prices paid in recent times, with a decreasing trend in the second quarter.
Meatco said it will try its best to keep the prices as stable as possible.
“While Namibia’s livestock sector, on which around 70% of our population depends, has been exporting an average of 160 000 weaners to neighbouring South Africa each year, the recent change in that country’s veterinary import regulations has now effectively stopped exports. However, it is too early to predict an outcome, as there are a number of requests to review these regulations,” it said.
ELLANIE SMIT
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