Chamwe Kaira
Cattle prices across major global markets increased during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) analyst Leigh-Ann Nehoya.
In the European Union, the R3 steer price rose from an average of N$103.02/kg in the first half of 2024 to N$133.73/kg in 2025.
In the United States, prices strengthened from N$120.60/kg to N$136.56/kg, while Australian prices climbed from N$65.36/kg to N$74.50/kg.
South Africa’s RMAA A2 price improved from N$55.21/kg to N$63.10/kg.
In Namibia, A2 and B2 cattle prices rose from about N$59.24/kg and N$58.18/kg, respectively, in the first half of 2024 to around N$65.00/kg for both categories in 2025.
Nehoya stated that a tighter supply is driving global beef prices.
In the United States, the cattle herd has dropped to its lowest level since the 1950s, with drought and high feed costs limiting production.
The European Union projects a 1.3% decline in beef production to 6.73 million tonnes in 2025 citing a shrinking breeding herd.
Trade factors have also shaped markets. Nehoya said US exports to China have fallen sharply due to retaliatory tariffs and plant approval lapses.
South African prices have risen above Namibian and Australian levels because of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks.
Namibia’s beef exports dropped from 10,968 tonnes in the first half of 2024 to 5,461 tonnes in 2025, with notable declines in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and China. Sheep meat exports also fell from 405 tonnes in 2024 to 155 tonnes in 2025, with 48% going to Botswana, 37% to South Africa and 15% to Norway.
In the pork sector, Namibia currently produces 45% of its domestic demand. Imports rose to 3,470 tonnes in the first half of 2025, with Spain replacing Germany as the main supplier after an FMD outbreak in Germany. Spain’s exports increased from 658 tonnes in 2024 to 1,567 tonnes, while Germany’s dropped from 1,944 tonnes to 338 tonnes.
Offal accounted for 51.4% of total imports, followed by cooked and processed pork at 30%. The pork ceiling price was maintained at N$51.03/kg in the first half of 2025.
From January to June 2025, Namibia imported 11,388.45 tonnes of poultry meat and products, 59% of which came from Poland.
A total of 15 million eggs were also imported. Mechanically deboned meat made up 67% of poultry meat imports.
Caption
Prices of cattle are increasing on the global market.
