Namibian weaner prices suffer 32% decline – Business Express

…as South Africa cools its demand for Namibian weaners

Namibian weaner prices struggled to recover during the second quarter of 2023 and averaged N$24.97/kg by the end of the period. 

According to the Meat Board of Namibia, this is a decline of 31.7 percent compared to the 2022 level of N$36.58/kg.

“The situation is attributed to the decline in demand for Namibian weaners by South Africa whilst South African weaners on the other hand, fetched relatively higher prices and averaged N$32.05/kg, N$7.08/kg higher than Namibian weaner prices during the second quarter of 2023,” the Board said.

A total of 78 212 cattle were marketed during the second quarter of 2023, an 8.0 percent growth from the level observed in the second quarter of last year. The ratio between live exports and slaughtering in the country improved with 53.0 percent of all cattle marketed being slaughtered at A, B & Class abattoirs while live exports market share reduced and averaged 47.0 percent, a decline of 5.9 percent of total marketing.

“Market signals appear to be well-functioning in the livestock and meat industry as producers responded well to relatively attractive prices offered by A-class abattoirs. B2 producer prices paid by export approved abattoirs south of the veterinary cordon fence (sVCF) averaged N$61.06/kg, a 0.5 percent increase from the average N$60.77/kg paid last year during the same period,” added the Board.

A total of 276 325 sheep were marketed during the quarter under review relative to the 2022 level of 234 354 sheep.

“The improved performance in sheep marketing was driven by a sustained growth in the live export of sheep coupled with increased slaughtering at export-approved abattoirs. Namibian export-approved abattoirs continued paying higher producer prices relative to Northern Cape abattoirs during the second quarter of the year,” further said the Board.

On average, Namibian export- approved abattoirs paid N$ 89.04/kg for the A2 grade, N$8.38/kg more compared to Northern Cape abattoirs which paid N$80.96/kg for the same grade. This price difference is N$3.40/kg more than the Meat Board – established nominal benchmark difference of N$4.98/kg – in favor of Namibian abattoirs.