Namibia’s beef industry generated more than N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange in 2025, as government intensifies efforts to protect export markets and shift the sector towards greater local value addition.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani said the country’s access to premium markets remains a key competitive advantage.
“These measures are critical to safeguarding our animal health status and maintaining access to high-value export markets,” she said.
Namibia remains the only African country with concurrent beef export access to the United States, China, Norway and the European Union, supported by strict animal health controls. More than 319,000 cattle were vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease and nearly 800,000 against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
Despite strong export performance, government is moving to reduce the export of live cattle, which continues to limit domestic processing and value addition. In 2025 alone, 59,224 cattle were exported on the hoof.
“We are committed to ensuring that more value is retained locally by strengthening the upstream livestock value chain,” Zaamwani said.
The livestock sector remains a key economic pillar, supporting the livelihoods of about 70% of the population and sustaining over 45,000 direct jobs, with a further 12,000 roles in processing and exports. It contributed 3.5% to Namibia’s gross domestic product during the period under review.
“The livestock value chain is not only central to food security, but also to employment creation and inclusive economic growth,” she said.
To expand local processing capacity, a N$78.9 million feedlot project is under development at the Etunda Irrigation Project in partnership with the National Planning Commission and the European Union. The project is currently 18% complete and is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Additional infrastructure investments include the operationalisation of the Eenhana abattoir and the Ongwediva Meat Processing Plant, while the Outapi abattoir has been rehabilitated and is ready for operations.
Government has also allocated N$355.8 million to veterinary services and livestock development to strengthen disease control, traceability systems and compliance with international standards.
“These investments are essential to protect the N$2.1 billion in annual export earnings and ensure the long-term sustainability of the livestock sector,” Zaamwani said.
This article was first published here in partnership with The Brief