Farmers sell livestock in Namibia as drought threatens

Published 2023년 5월 18일

Tridge summary

In March, Namibia experienced a significant increase in cattle and sheep sales, with a 49% rise in total cattle sold and a 91% increase in sheep sold, largely due to live animal exports and exports to South Africa, respectively. However, goat sales saw a slight decrease as they are more drought-resistant and farmers are holding onto them. The surge in livestock sales is attributed to intermittent rainfall causing vegetation degradation and potential drought, leading farmers to reduce herd sizes and generate income. The poultry market is currently vulnerable due to avian influenza outbreaks in major trading countries, prompting import bans and offering opportunities for local poultry farmers. The Namibian Agronomic Council is focusing on local produce consumption through import restrictions, and a forecast predicts surplus and shortage of certain vegetables from April to August.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The total number of cattle sold in Namibia increased by 49% to 22,052 in March from 14,848 in the previous month, The Namibian reported on May 17, citing data from Agribank. According to Agribank's Monthly Market Review for April, there was a surge in sales across all cattle sales activities, with live animal exports rising by a triple digit rate of 103% or 8,142 heads. “The intermittent rainfall that led to the degradation of vegetation between March and April 2023 prompted farmers to sell some of their livestock to avoid loss of livestock due to drought,” Agribank said in a review. According to the Namibia Meat Board, the number of live and slaughter animals being exported is expected to continue to rise, which could lead to a further decline in livestock prices. According to Agribank, farmers are reducing the size of their herds, conserving feed resources and generating income to offset the cost of maintaining their livestock in the upcoming dry season. The ...

Source: Milknews