CHAMWE KAIRA
With more than 1.4 million goats exported to South Africa between 2016 and 2026, even small savings on compliance costs could significantly improve returns to Namibian livestock producers, the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) says.
South Africa remains the main destination for Namibia’s live goat exports, with approximately 98% of goats destined for the country’s traditional market.
According to the NAU, Namibian producers seeking access to the South African market must comply with animal health import requirements, including testing for Brucella melitensis, a bacterium that can cause brucellosis.
The union said disease surveillance, testing and vaccination are important for protecting Namibia’s livestock industry, maintaining the country’s animal health reputation and keeping export markets open.
However, it said the compliance measures also impose costs on producers, particularly communal goat farmers for whom South Africa is an important formal market.
“Every additional compliance cost reduces the money that ultimately reaches the producer,” the NAU said, noting that many farmers already operate on tight margins.”
The cost of the laboratory test is only one component of the export process. Producers also incur expenses for blood collection, veterinary services, transportation to South Africa, export documentation, feed and labour while goats are being prepared for export.
The NAU estimates that the total cost of exporting a goat to South Africa is N$485.28 per animal, equivalent to about 30% of the average auction price.
The union said Namibia’s strong animal health status remains one of the country’s key competitive advantages and should continue to be protected.
At the same time, it said there was a need to assess whether existing import protocols remain the most efficient and scientifically appropriate means of achieving animal health objectives.
“Where compliance costs can be reduced without compromising animal health, both producers and the livestock industry stand to benefit,” the NAU said.
It added that even relatively small savings per animal could have a substantial impact across the industry given the volume of goats exported to South Africa over the past decade.
The NAU said reducing unnecessary compliance costs would allow more money to remain within the livestock value chain, improving producer returns, strengthening farm profitability and encouraging continued investment in Namibia’s livestock sector.
