Ester Mbathera
New analysis has revealed that average meat consumption in Namibia has declined from a high of 8kg per capita to just under 6kg in recent years.
This is according to a study by Liaan Burger from Cirrus Capital.
The shift stands in contrast to neighbouring South Africa, which has seen a significant increase in overall meat consumption during the same period.
“Namibia and South Africa are known not for vegetarian cuisine but rather for their rich tradition of meat-based dishes. Overall meat consumption in South Africa has risen steadily over the past three decades, increasing from around 6.7kg per capita in 1990 to nearly 12 kg in recent years,” Burger said.
He attributes the difference to various economic and structural factors, including income growth, market development, and price accessibility compared to South Africa.
Burger said the biggest gap lies in beef and poultry.
“These two industries mainly contribute to the large divergence in the averages between the two countries, where beef and poultry are staple protein sources,” he said.
According to the analysis, South Africa’s beef and poultry consumption is significantly higher than Namibia’s.
“These two industries mainly contribute to the large divergence in the averages between the two countries, where beef and poultry are staple protein sources,” he said.
Burger also noted that Namibia’s reliance on local cattle makes beef supply unstable.
“The volatility in Namibia’s beef consumption is likely linked to its reliance on domestic cattle production, which is particularly vulnerable to drought,” he said.
While Namibians consume more fish than South Africans, the report shows a downward trend over the last two decades.
“…potentially due to a growing priority on exports. The “other” type of meat categorises game meat, and Namibia’s consumption is 5 times higher than South Africa’s within this category,” said Burger.
He suggests that South Africa’s faster rate of urbanisation and more developed commercial food markets play a role in its higher meat consumption.
“Namibia has a smaller population and export-oriented industries that rely on traditional meat sources, which are less able to benefit from economies of scale,” said Burger.
