Staff Writer
The ministry of agriculture, water and land reform (MAFWLR), together with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), Directorate of Veterinary Services and Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), has launched a two-week nationwide outreach campaign aimed at helping communal livestock producers meet European Union (EU) market access requirements.
The campaign, which starts on 21 September, targets communal cattle producers operating south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence who face challenges complying with the EU’s 90/40-day residency requirements.
Under the requirements, cattle destined for the EU market must have spent at least 90 days within Namibia’s designated Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zone.
The animals must then spend the final 40 days before slaughter continuously on a single officially registered establishment or farm.
The outreach programme is intended to engage producers on these requirements and the challenges they face in accessing the EU export and slaughter value chain.
Four teams have been deployed across the country as part of the campaign. One team will cover the Khomas Region from 21 to 24 September before moving to Otjozondjupa from 25 September to 1 October.
A second team will conduct a continuous campaign in the Omaheke Region from 21 September to 1 October.
The third team will operate in Hardap from 21 to 24 September before moving to the //Karas Region from 28 September to 2 October.
The fourth team will engage producers in southern Kunene from 21 to 25 September and then move to the Erongo Region from 28 September to 2 October.
The organisers said the outreach provides a platform for dialogue with communal farmers on market access challenges and the requirements needed to participate in the EU export and slaughter value chain.
According to sialparis.com, Namibia exported 13.38 million kg of beef in 2025, down 41.1% from 22.70 million kg in 2024.
The LLPBN attributed the decline primarily to restricted slaughter supply and herd rebuilding rather than weak demand.
Europe still absorbed 94% of Namibia’s beef exports in 2025, with the EU alone taking 10.8 million kg. Producer prices nevertheless remained firm.
The average B2 carcass price reached N$71.24/kg, around 22.5% above the regional South African benchmark used by the board.
During the first six months, Namibian beef exports rose 52.7% year on year to 8.34 million kg. Live cattle exports increased 47.4% to 39 083 head, while throughput at export-approved abattoirs was 12.5% higher in June than a year earlier.
In April, Savanna Beef Processors received certification to export matured, deboned, chilled and frozen beef cuts to the UK, EU and EFTA countries. The business plans to slaughter around 50 000 cattle annually.
