Pork remains scarce

PORK is becoming scarce in Namibian supermarkets because of import bans against South Africa and Brazil.

Imports of pork from South Africa were banned two months ago after an outbreak of swine fever in the Eastern Cape province. Imports from Brazil, another major pork-exporting country, were stopped in October because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in that country.According to the Meat Board, Namibia imports an estimated 4 500 tonnes of pork a year.Local farms produce only about 20 000 pigs a year, while around 60 000 are consumed.The Meat Board said in a statement that the prices of pork products would inevitably go up as the supply gets lower.”Namibian consumers should thus be aware of these market trends and should not blame their manufacturer or local supermarkets for inflated prices or the unavailability of certain fresh and processed pork products,” it said.Imports from Brazil, another major pork-exporting country, were stopped in October because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in that country.According to the Meat Board, Namibia imports an estimated 4 500 tonnes of pork a year.Local farms produce only about 20 000 pigs a year, while around 60 000 are consumed.The Meat Board said in a statement that the prices of pork products would inevitably go up as the supply gets lower.”Namibian consumers should thus be aware of these market trends and should not blame their manufacturer or local supermarkets for inflated prices or the unavailability of certain fresh and processed pork products,” it said.