Pork market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The pork market in Namibia grew from 9.3 thousand t in 2018 to a peak of 10.4 thousand t in 2020, supported by a 25% increase in domestic production over the period. This expansion occurred alongside Meat Board of Namibia regulations that standardized export requirements for chilled and frozen meat, which helped formalize meat trade channels.

After 2020, the market entered a pronounced contraction, falling to 7.5 thousand t by 2023. A key development was the rise in local fresh pork production, which by 2024 was meeting nearly half of domestic consumption. This shift toward greater self-sufficiency corresponded with a sharp reduction in pork imports, which fell from a high of 4.7 thousand t in 2021 to 2.0 thousand t in 2024.

The broader Namibian meat sector remained dynamic, with the livestock industry seeing increased marketing activity and ongoing efforts to secure new export markets for beef under the Animal Health Act framework. While these factors primarily concerned other meats, they contributed to a market environment where domestic pork production captured a larger share of local demand.

Production pork in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Namibia's pork production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 8 057 tons of pork, representing a 13.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 39.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Exports pork from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their peak in 2019, then dropped to their lowest point in 2018 — a difference of 48 times. In 2020, Namibia's pork exports totaled 466 tons, marking a 44.4% decrease from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 17 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 838 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 97.3% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 4,738.9% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia's pork exports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 84.7% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

Namibia's pork exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported pork worth 645 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 15.9% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 30.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Namibia's pork exports in value terms, holding a 71.1% share of total flows. Other markets contributed relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports pork to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Namibia's pork imports amounted to 2 844 tons, indicating a sharp 23.7% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 809 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 728 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 32.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa accounted for 76.1% of Namibia's total pork imports in volume terms. The remaining imports were spread across multiple smaller partners.

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

In 2020, Namibia's pork imports reached 5 429 thousand US dollars, showing a steep 28.9% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 25.5%, with an average annual decline of 9.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 635 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 5.0% growth.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Namibia's pork imports in value terms were largely concentrated on South Africa, which represented 83.9% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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