Market price for goats satisfactory

KEETMANSHOOP – The Namibia Livestock Agency (NLA) has expressed satisfaction with the supply and condition of goats at its auctions given the lack of adequate rain.

The NLA Area Manager for Karas, Kobus Steyn, told Nampa that he was less optimistic about the sheep market. He noted that while the prices offered for goats remained relatively satisfactory, sheep prices were a source of concern due to oversupply.This, he noted, was also true for sheep ready for slaughter in both the organised market such as abattoirs and in the unorganised market such as local butcheries.Currently most of the goats are exported on hoof to neighbouring South Africa, destined mainly for the Kwazulu-Natal province, while sheep have to be slaughtered locally.The unorganised market mostly slaughters animals not fit for the organised markets such as the fat-tailed types, and old ewes and rams.Steyn noted that there had been a steep increase in prices for animals on auction since the first auction held in January in the Karas Region.In January the average price for goats was about N$13,50 per kilogramme while the price for younger ewes ranged between N$13 and N$14.The price for older goats was about N$10.The price for sheep was relatively low, Steyn noted.In March the price offered for market-ready Dorper lambs was about N$9 per kilogramme while it ranged between N$8 and N$8,50 for fat-tailed lambs.The average price for goats was again satisfactory at about N$12,50.Steyn called on all farmers, commercial and communal, in the country to support the auctions of the NLA.He added that many farmers are now selling their livestock because they are worried about deteriorating grazing conditions due to a lack of rain.NampaHe noted that while the prices offered for goats remained relatively satisfactory, sheep prices were a source of concern due to oversupply.This, he noted, was also true for sheep ready for slaughter in both the organised market such as abattoirs and in the unorganised market such as local butcheries.Currently most of the goats are exported on hoof to neighbouring South Africa, destined mainly for the Kwazulu-Natal province, while sheep have to be slaughtered locally.The unorganised market mostly slaughters animals not fit for the organised markets such as the fat-tailed types, and old ewes and rams.Steyn noted that there had been a steep increase in prices for animals on auction since the first auction held in January in the Karas Region.In January the average price for goats was about N$13,50 per kilogramme while the price for younger ewes ranged between N$13 and N$14.The price for older goats was about N$10.The price for sheep was relatively low, Steyn noted.In March the price offered for market-ready Dorper lambs was about N$9 per kilogramme while it ranged between N$8 and N$8,50 for fat-tailed lambs.The average price for goats was again satisfactory at about N$12,50.Steyn called on all farmers, commercial and communal, in the country to support the auctions of the NLA.He added that many farmers are now selling their livestock because they are worried about deteriorating grazing conditions due to a lack of rain.Nampa