Staff Writer
Livestock prices in Namibia showed mixed performance during the first eight months of 2026. B2 beef producer prices performed strongly compared to 2025 whilst weaner prices recorded a more modest year-on-year increase, this is according to the Namibia Agriculture Union.
A2 lamb prices remained slightly above 2025 levels, while goat auction prices improved on a year-to-date basis. The pork ceiling price, however, was revised downwards during the period.
B2 producer prices performed strongly during the first eight months of 2026, averaging N$74.64/kg, 13.9% above the corresponding period of 2025.
The strong performance of export abattoir prices can be explained by increased slaughter capacity, a shift towards younger and heavier carcasses, and higher prices within each grade.
Total SVCF export abattoir slaughters for January to August increased by 43.5% year-on-year to 91 321 head.
On the other hand, weaner prices recorded a modest year-on-year increase reaching N$31.61/kg in August 2026, 4.4% above the N$30.27/kg recorded in August 2025.
The weaner-to-B2 price ratio stood at approximately 47.0% in 2026, compared with 51.7% in 2025 and below the long-term benchmark of 62.0%.
This reflects the comparatively stronger performance of slaughter cattle prices relative to weaner prices, the union said.
Regarding small stock, the A2 lamb price grew by 1.4% from the N$92.84/kg observed in 2025 to N$94.12/kg in 2026.
Similarly, goat auction prices also improved during the period under review growing by 13.0% from N$1 446 to N$1 634 per head.
Pork prices came under pressure during 2026. The national ceiling price declined to N$47.61/kg from N$55.17/kg at the start of the year, while the year-to-date average of N$52.14/kg remained 1.2% above the corresponding period of 2025.
“Overall, price developments during the first eight months of 2026 point to comparatively stronger conditions in the slaughter cattle market, with B2 prices outpacing gains in weaner prices. Sheep prices recovered strongly following weakness during the first quarter, while goat prices remained above 2025 levels on a year-to-date basis. Pork prices, however, remained under pressure, with the current ceiling price of N$47.61/kg being 13.7% below its January level,” the union said without citing whether the report was made before the announcement of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Namibia.
