Marketing of cattle, sheep down
Most goats destined for feedlots
The majority of cattle were exported to South Africa, while smaller quantities of live cattle were exported to Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The marketing of cattle and sheep decreased during August this year, while there was a slight increase in the marketing of goats. The total marketing of cattle decreased by 17.95% on a year-on-year basis, from the 38 969 cattle marketed in August 2023 to 31 973 in August 2024.
According to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) Monthly Market Watch, live exports are 24.35% lower than in August last year, on a year-on-year basis. This year, live exports decreased by 11.40% from the 18 968 cattle heads exported during July to 16 806 cattle heads exported in August.
Majority to SA
The majority of cattle (weaners) were exported to South Africa, while smaller quantities of live cattle were exported to Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The LLPB said weaner auction prices south of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) decreased by N$0.88 per kilogram from N$24.89/kg in July to N$24.01/kg in August.
Furthermore, weaner auction prices decreased by 11.21% from N$27.04/kg in August 2023 to N$24.01/kg in August 2024.
On a month-on-month basis, the weaner auction prices south of the VCF decreased by 3.54% in August this year.
According to the LLPB, yellow maize prices increased by 2.55% during August 2024. “Weaner prices are forecast to decrease by 4.62% at N$22.90/kg in September 2024.”
It said up to 95.14% of live cattle exports, predominantly weaners, were destined for South Africa. South African feedlots received up to 83.43% of cattle exports.
Sheep, goats
Meanwhile, the total marketing of sheep decreased by 26.62%, from the 65 651 sheep marketed in August 2023 to 41 174 sheep marketed during August 2024.
Additionally, live exports of sheep decreased by 18.67% on a year-on-year basis. Furthermore, export abattoir slaughtering decreased by 12.18% on a year-on-year basis. The LLPB said this year, local abattoir slaughtering decreased by 41.15% from 5 230 sheep slaughtered during July to 3 078 slaughtered in August.
The majority of sheep live exports (98.60%), were destined to South African abattoirs, followed by Zambia (0.98%), Angola (0.24%), Botswana (0.14%) and Zimbabwe (0.05%).
Furthermore, a total of 13 793 goats were exported live in August this year, compared to 13 484 exported in August 2023.
“This represents an increase of 2.29% on a year-on-year basis, and a decrease of 11.11% on a monthly basis,” the LLPB said.
The total marketing of goats was driven by an increase in live exports, whereas slaughtering has remained marginal.
Exports to South Africa made up 98.02% of total live goat exports, followed by Angola, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, which accounted for 0.91%, 0.76%, 0.23% and 0.08% respectively. More than half of goats exported were destined to feedlots, while only 5% were directed to slaughter houses in South Africa.