Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, Namibia was a net exporter of beef, sheep, and goat fats, with a significant portion of live animals and products shipped abroad, primarily to South Africa. A reported 80% decline in abattoir throughput between 2016 and 2021, linked to rigid pricing and lower ox production, continued to constrain processing capacity, influencing domestic availability. By 2020, a sharp drop in exports led to a larger domestic market volume of 2 871 t, even as production eased.

Prices for oils and fats rose by 17.7% in September 2021, coinciding with a 6.2% decrease in small stock marketing, which tightened supply and raised producer prices. The market rebounded in 2022 as the cattle sector posted its first annual growth in three years, expanding by 2.3%, supported by a N$17.5 million government allocation for agricultural water infrastructure, which aided overall livestock production.

Production surged to 4 624 t in 2023, with market volume reaching 4 507 t. This growth aligned with the Namibian Agronomic Board's restrictions on imports of most controlled products, which likely bolstered domestic market share. Concurrently, the state-owned meat processor Meatco reported significant financial losses, while the industry adapted to updated animal welfare legislation and an import/export permit system to maintain access to high-value international beef markets.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

In Namibia, beef, sheep, and goat fat production reached 3 718 t in 2019, marking the highest level during the 2017-2020 period. However, output declined to 3 356 t in 2020, representing a year-over-year decrease of 9.7%. Over the entire four-year span, production fell by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of beef, sheep, and goat fat from Namibia showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. The peak was reached in 2019 at 1 890 t, followed by a sharp drop to 595 t in 2020, representing a 3.2-fold decrease. This 2020 figure was 68.5% lower than the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 70.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia's exports of beef, sheep, and goat fat were overwhelmingly directed to South Africa, which accounted for 92.0% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Namibia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Namibia's beef, sheep, and goat fat exports exhibited significant volatility during the 2017-2020 period. Exports peaked at 1 071 K $ US in 2019 before plummeting to 319 K $ US in 2020, a 3.4-fold decline. This 2020 value represented a dramatic 70.2% decrease compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, when export value rose by 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Namibia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa dominated Namibia's export structure in value terms, capturing 93.6% of total export earnings from beef, sheep, and goat fat.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Namibia in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia's imports of beef, sheep, and goat fat displayed irregular patterns between 2017 and 2020, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 before climbing to a peak of 233 t in 2019, representing a 2.5-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, imports totaled {value_last_year} t, which was 53.0% lower than the 2019 level. The most substantial annual increase occurred in 2019, when imports jumped by 108.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and Australia served as Namibia's primary sources for beef, sheep, and goat fat imports, together accounting for 95.6% of total import volumes. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Namibia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Namibia's beef, sheep, and goat fat imports showed marked volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 87 K $ US before surging to a peak of 363 K $ US in 2019, representing a 4.2-fold increase. In 2020, import value declined to 130 K $ US, which was 64.2% lower than the previous year. The most dramatic annual increase occurred in 2019, when import value skyrocketed by 315.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Namibia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the leading supplier of beef, sheep, and goat fat to Namibia in value terms, accounting for 72.1% of total import spending. A diverse group of other countries supplied the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Namibia in value, 2017-2020