Protection increases growthin pork sector

Protection increases growthin pork sector• 57% increase in production In order to consolidate the gains of the scheme, the Meat Board has decided to extend the restriction on pork imports to increase the competitiveness of the sector. STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK



The pork sector in Namibia has grown almost 60% since the Pork Protection Scheme was introduced from October 2012 until last year. The scheme was introduced to protect the industry and is administered by the Meat Board.

This means suppliers in Namibia must first purchase a certain number of local pork before importing. “During the scheme period, a 57% increase in pork production was observed,”­ said the Meat Board. It s­aid in order to consolidate the gains of the scheme, the board made a decision to extend the scheme to increase the competitiveness of the sector. The board also approved an evaluation of the pork ceiling price against the principles of equitable pricing and competitiveness. According to the Meat Board, a total of 44 885 pigs were slaughtered by Meat Board-registered abattoirs last year. This was a decline of 6% compared to 47 519 pigs in 2019. Local pork production serviced 47% of the Namibian consumption requirements last year, compared to 50% in 2019.

Imports

Last year a total of 4 358 tonnes of pork, excluding processed pork, was imported into the Namibian market, representing 53% of local consumption. Total pork imports, inclusive of processed pork, amounted to 5 356 tonnes, of which 68.25% was sourced from South Africa. The average Namibian pork ceiling price for 2020 stood at N$34.83 per kg, up by 3.10% from N$33.79 per kg in 2019. According to the 2014 National Agriculture Census conducted by the Namibia Statistics Agency, there are approximately

87 206 pigs countrywide and more than 50% are found in the communal areas of northern Namibia. Indigenous or local breeds make up more than 50% of the pig ­population.