Namibia in Numbers: Namibia’s cattle market shows signs of recovery

Namibia’s cattle market is showing signs of recovery in 2026, with more cattle being sold through local slaughtering and live export than during the same period last year.

Monthly marketing volumes have been higher than in 2025 in almost every month so far, with the strongest increases recorded in March and July, when volumes were roughly 90% and 50% higher than a year earlier.

Between January and July, around 156 000 head of cattle were marketed in 2026, compared with about 122 000 during the same period in 2025, an increase of roughly 28%.

July was the strongest month, with more than 30 000 head of cattle marketed.

The recovery comes after a difficult 2025, when cattle marketing fell sharply as farmers retained animals to rebuild herds following favourable rains.

Total cattle marketing declined from about 372 000 head in 2024 to 217 000 in 2025.

Part of the increase in 2026 reflects a rebound from these unusually low levels.

However, both higher local slaughtering and live exports have contributed to the recovery.

With herd rebuilding stabilising, stronger demand and higher cattle prices encouraged farmers to bring more cattle to market.

By July, live cattle exports were around 64% higher than a year earlier, while cattle slaughtering had increased by approximately 15%.

If the current trend continues, 2026 could mark a gradual recovery in Namibia’s cattle market following the sharp decline recorded in 2025.

The potential return of El Niño-related drier conditions could encourage farmers to maintain higher marketing levels, while the pace of the recovery will depend heavily on rainfall and grazing conditions in the months ahead.

– Mette Daun is an intern at Cirrus, studying economics and law at the University of Münster, Germany.

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