Sheep and goat meat market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Namibia's sheep and goat meat production first stabilized then fell. State-owned MeatCorp maintained control over mutton exports, limiting market access for other producers. Drought and wildfires damaged grazing land, reducing feed availability and carcass weights. Regulatory uncertainty arose in 2019 when the government postponed the Sheep Marketing Scheme. In 2020, as Namibia began exporting beef to the United States, focus and resources may have shifted toward that new high-value market, while stricter export licensing requirements raised compliance costs for sheep and goat meat exporters.

The market rebounded in 2021 and surged in 2022. A review of animal-welfare legislation helped align standards with international market expectations. Key growth drivers emerged from robust export demand to South Africa, where live goat exports grew 25% and sheep marketing increased. Simultaneously, a sharp rise in pork prices in Namibia made sheep and goat meat more attractive for consumers, boosting domestic consumption. The promulgation of the Livestock and Livestock Products Amendment Act in 2022 signaled an expanding regulatory framework for the sector.

In 2023, production declined slightly despite a higher number of sheep slaughtered, as persistent drought lowered carcass weights and triggered price penalties for lean animals. State-linked abattoirs like Farmers Meat expanded their processing targets. Entering 2024, the government introduced a new meat classification levy, raising production costs, and tightened import/export rules for livestock products. However, strong live-export demand to South Africa continued, supporting marketing volumes for both sheep and goats.

Production sheep and goat meat in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Namibia's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 20 321 tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a significant year-on-year decrease of 18.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.6%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 6.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 25 121 tons, while the largest increase occurred that same year at 0.6%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, representing an 11.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Namibia exported 295 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking an 87.2% decrease compared to 2019. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 11.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Namibia's sheep and goat meat exports were highly concentrated, with South Africa and Norway together accounting for 99.8% 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

Namibia's sheep and goat meat export revenues have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, export value stood at 686 thousand US dollars, representing a 90.0% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export revenues fell by 95%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 63.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, South Africa and Norway dominated Namibia's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.8% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia's sheep and goat meat imports have decreased for three consecutive years. In 2020, import volume totaled 4 tons, representing a 50.5% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 96.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -66.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the primary source of sheep and goat meat imports to Namibia, accounting for 90.2% of total import volumes, while other sources played much smaller roles.

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 market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with the peak-to-trough ratio reaching 10.4 times. In 2020, Namibia's sheep and goat meat import value was recorded at 30 thousand US dollars, representing a solid 12.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred that same year at 87.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa remained the dominant source for Namibia's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, capturing 83.2% of total import spending, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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