Imagine this: Namibia, by the end of September, had processed a staggering **14.4 million chickens for its own consumption!** This massive figure underscores the strength of local poultry production, even with the presence of imported chicken. But let's dive deeper into what this means for Namibia's food market.
According to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), the country didn't just focus on feeding itself; it also exported processed chicken. A total of 893,782 kg of processed chicken was shipped out, with Zambia leading the pack, taking up 59.2% of the exports. Botswana followed with 15.2%, South Africa with 13.1%, and Zimbabwe with 12.4%.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. While imports remained substantial, totaling 15.9 million kg year-to-date, there was a significant drop in live bird imports. Specifically, live bird imports plummeted by 79.4% from 62,150 in August to a mere 12,800 in September. These were all day-old chicks, primarily sourced from South Africa. This shift suggests a growing ability of Namibia to raise its own poultry. The cumulative total for 2025 stood at 352,701, indicating increasing self-sufficiency.
And this is the part most people miss: the sheep industry. The LLPBN also shared that the sheep industry continued to struggle. In September, only 30,242 sheep were marketed, a considerable 31.3% decrease compared to the previous year.
This raises a question: While Namibia's chicken production appears robust, what does the decline in the sheep industry signify? Is it a sign of shifting consumer preferences, economic challenges, or other factors? What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below!
