The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, in collaboration with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, the Directorate of Veterinary Services, and the Namibia National Farmers Union, has initiated a two-week nationwide outreach campaign. This campaign aims to assist communal livestock producers in meeting the European Union's market access requirements. The outreach, which began on September 21, targets communal cattle producers operating south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
These producers face challenges in complying with the EU's 90/40-day residency requirements. To export cattle to the EU market, the animals must have spent at least 90 days within Namibia's designated Foot-and-Mouth Disease-free zone. They must then spend the final 40 days before slaughter continuously on a single officially registered establishment or farm. The outreach program seeks 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 covers the Khomas Region from September 21 to 24, then moves to Otjozondjupa from September 25 to October 1. Another team conducts a continuous campaign in the Omaheke Region from September 21 to October 1. The third team operates in Hardap from September 21 to 24, then moves to the //Karas Region from September 28 to October 2. The fourth team engages producers in southern Kunene from September 21 to 25, then moves to the Erongo Region from September 28 to October 2.
The outreach program 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 recent data, Namibia exported 13.38 million kg of beef in 2025, down 41.1% from 22.70 million kg in 2024. The decline is primarily attributed to restricted slaughter supply and herd rebuilding rather than weak demand.
Despite the decline, Europe still absorbed 94% of Namibia's beef exports in 2025, with the EU alone taking 10.8 million kg. Producer prices remained firm, with the average B2 carcass price reaching N$71.24/kg, around 22.5% above the regional South African benchmark. During the first six months, Namibian beef exports rose 52.7% year on year to 8.34 million kg.
Live cattle exports increased by 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.
The outreach campaign is a strategic move to enhance Namibia's beef export industry by ensuring that communal cattle producers can meet the EU's stringent requirements. This initiative is expected to increase the country's beef export capacity and provide better market access for communal farmers. Key stakeholders are working together to ensure the success of this campaign and to improve the livelihoods of communal farmers.
Key points
- The campaign targets communal cattle producers operating south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
- Namibia's beef exports to the EU declined by 41.1% in 2025 compared to 2024.
- The outreach program aims to engage producers on EU market access requirements and challenges.
