Namibia's livestock is recovering well following the devastating drought that ended in 2019.

The Managing Marketer of the Meat Board of Namibia, Desmond Cloete, says the industry is going through a successful rebuilding phase to meet its future expectations in terms of marketing, both for local consumption and export.

Namibia's livestock sector has faced difficult times in recent years.

The sector is therefore beginning to show positive signs in terms of recovery and growth.

Cloete explained that marketed weaners have slightly increased at the export abattoirs, lured by improved prices, while domestic demand declined as a result.

He says this shows how the dynamic nature of the beef sector can rapidly change within a short span.

But the Meat Board official feels that with the introduction of new players in the beef industry, such as Beef Corporation and Savanna Beef, Namibia will soon move away from the export of live animals.

Cloete says Namibia has partially lost market share in South Africa to Botswana due to its proximity and the low prices of Botswana weaners.

The beef export to the US market was not realized this year as a result of the livestock rebuilding exercise and the reduced number of slaughter-ready cattle.

But the future for farmers in the areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence looks rather bright in terms of beef export.

For small stock, Cloete stressed, the Mariental and Aranos abattoirs are ready to process lamb meat for the export market.