In January 2023, livestock marketing declined sharply across all sectors, with cattle marketing dropping by 49.1%. Live exports decreased by 68.2%, and sheep marketing fell by 65.1%. The goat and pig sectors also experienced declines. Despite some price increases, the overall performance of livestock marketing raises significant concerns.
The livestock marketing sector faced a notable decline in January as reported by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB). All areas recorded decreases, with the total number of marketed cattle falling to 11,797, which is a drastic 49.1% drop from the 23,166 marketed in January the previous year.
The most significant downturn occurred in live exports, which decreased by 68.2%. Additionally, B&C class abattoirs saw a 56% reduction in throughput. Despite this, the average carcass price for S-VCF beef increased by N$64.01/kg, while the s-VCF B2 producer price rose to N$70.20/kg. The domestic weaner price also experienced an uptrend, averaging N$28.59/kg.
In the sheep sector, there was a 65.1% decline, with live exports dropping 52.4% to 12,571 heads exported. Furthermore, slaughtering at abattoirs for both local and export markets fell sharply by 90.8%. Mutton production remained low, with only 272 kg processed for export.
The goat sector saw a year-on-year decrease of 34.9%, marketing only 4,515 goats, compared to 6,932 the previous January. The average lamb auction price was reported at N$42.31/kg in the first month of the year.
The pig sector recorded a 2% decline with 4,222 pigs marketed at LLPBN approved abattoirs. Pork imports totaled 594,330 kg, mostly from Germany and South Africa. In the poultry sector, a total of 1,171,897 live chickens were slaughtered, and 996 day-old chicks were imported.
Additionally, processed chicken products worth 399,294 kg were exported to neighboring countries, while imports reached 2,368,150 kg, predominantly from Poland. The dairy sector imported 596,179 liters of milk along with 1,618,893 kg of dairy products. Notably, there were also exports of 56,590 hides to South Africa and 33,201 wet blue hides imported from the same country.
In summary, January 2023 witnessed considerable declines in the livestock marketing sector, impacting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry. The LLPB reported substantial volume reductions across live exports and slaughtering activities. Even with some price increases for specific products, the overall performance of the livestock market remains concerning, highlighting the need for renewed strategies to boost production and marketing efforts.
Original Source: economist.com.na
