The South African Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) is considering reducing the amount of meat and number of weaners imported from Namibia.
This is due to the increasing financial strain South African farmers face.
The matter was raised at the International Red Meat Forum, where the Namibian Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO), the RPO, and the Ghanzi Farmers’ Association of Botswana met to discuss issues affecting the livestock industry in the three countries.
According to the latest issue of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) newsletter, the meeting, was held in Pretoria on 4 September.
“They met at the National Red Meat Producers Organisation, which the three countries take turns to host,” said LPO spokesperson Rina Hough.
The LPO is an affiliate of the NAU.
The meeting recognised South Africa’s role as a vital market for Namibian livestock farmers, with 80% of sheep farmers’ income and 40% of cattle producers’ income coming from South African consumers.
According to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), formerly the Meat Board of Namibia, 20 398 cattle were marketed in January this year, up from 17 419 marketed in January 2023.
Of this total, 70.9% were exported live, mainly to South Africa, growing from 16 085 head of cattle in 2023 to 26 399 in 2024, noted the LLPBN.
The board also noted that the sheep sector recorded growth of 31.6%, led by live exports and slaughtering at A-class abattoirs. Year-on-year, live exports, particularly to the South African market, grew by 64.1% from 16 085 sheep in 2023 to 26 399 this year.
However, the major issue is that South African consumers have faced significant economic pressures due to load-shedding, high interest rates and fuel costs throughout 2022 and 2023, leading to a shift towards cheaper types of meat.
“In addition, South African weaner producers, similar to their Namibian counterparts, are grappling with a 60% increase in production costs since 2017, while income levels have remained stagnant,” noted the NAU.
The meeting highlighted that differing perceptions about meat imports are complicating cooperation between the three countries.
“To address this, efforts are being made to foster better understanding and collaboration,” noted the NAU.
The newsletter further noted that the LPO had initiated research into perceptions within the South African sheep value chain, with the findings to be discussed at a regional meeting at Keetmanshoop on 2 October.
The Pretoria meeting also underscored the need for a unified strategy to encourage South African consumers to increase their red meat consumption.
“The LPO is in the early stages of research to identify ways for South Africa and Namibia to work together more effectively to achieve this objective.
“Looking ahead, there are positive signs of economic recovery in South Africa, which may lead to increased consumer spending,” noted the NAU, adding that efforts are also being made to boost meat exports to the Middle East and China.
The union expects record quantities of beef and mutton exports this year, potentially stabilising market prices in South Africa.