Staff Reporter
PRODUCER prices for lamb and sheep increased by 22.92% and 27.43% respectively in 2025; however, these gains did not fully offset the long-term rise in production costs, leaving many farmers operating under continued cost–price pressure.
This was underscored in the Namibia Agricultural Union’s (NAU) 2026 Outlook, which noted that last year’s improvement in producer prices was not driven by higher volumes, as sheep marketing and exports declined. According to the Union, the downturn reflects significant pressure on the sheep sector in 2024 and 2025, stemming from drought-induced destocking and subdued external demand.
“Namibia’s sheep sector remained under considerable pressure in 2024 and 2025, as drought-related destocking and weak external demand significantly reduced throughput. In 2024, sheep production value contracted by 6.61%, reflecting reduced slaughter availability and declining export opportunities to South Africa and other markets. These pressures intensified in 2025, with sheep marketing dropping by 40.85% in the first half of the year. Export abattoirs recorded a 40.57% decline in slaughter, while live exports to South Africa, Namibia’s dominant outlet for small stock fell by nearly 50%,” the Union explained.
NAU noted that slaughter availability is expected to recover as farmers prioritise flock rebuilding.
“Looking at 2026, slaughter availability will improve as farmers prioritized flock rebuilding and expects 80% of normal supply levels as herd rebuilding occurs much faster in sheep than in cattle. This suggests that supply constraints will ease more quickly for sheep, supporting a gradual stabilization of market conditions,” NAU added.
Photo for illustrative purposes only.
