Livestock sector suffers post-drought impacts

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Post-drought effects in the cattle sector and supply-side issues in the sheep sector appear to be the major factors driving declines in production.

This is according to statistics provided by the Meat Board of Namibia for the period of 1 January to 31 March 2020, compared with the same period last year.

“All livestock sectors and market segments were severely influenced by the devastating drought of last,” the Meat Board said.

Year-on-year, a 31% decrease was witnessed in the total cattle marketed during the months of January to March.



Marketing decrease

Marketing decreased from 93 633 heads of cattle in the first quarter of 2019 to 62 245 in the corresponding period of 2019.

However, “both beef B2 carcass prices and weaner auction prices improved compared to the first quarter of 2019.”

Beef B2 prices increased by 4% from N$46.05 to N$47.8 and weaner prices increased by 37% from N$24.67 to N$33.83.



Sheep sector worst affected

The Meat Board said the sheep sector was the worst affected, with a decline of 61% year-on-year.

In the first quarter of this year, a total of 70 141 sheep were marketed compared to 177 601 last year.

“Namibia A2 sheep prices improved by 9.03%, but slaughter numbers are currently at uneconomic levels,” the Meat Board said.

Sheep slaughtering at export abattoirs declined by 76%.

Only 12 465 sheep were slaughtered during the first quarter of this year compared to last year's 52 903.

Meanwhile, A2 sheep prices increased by 12% from N$58.28 to N$65.54.



Goats, pork

Furthermore, a decline of 25% was reported in the number of goats marketed, with a total of 19 897 goats marketed compared to 26 509 last year.

Pork imports increased by 36.87% to 889 in the first quarter.

“The Meat Board continues to monitor the impact of the coronavirus on industrial output and prices, with the real impact to show during the second quarter of 2020.”