Opportunity for expansion of Namibia’s poultry sector

Namibia is dependent on imports, but looking to the future, René Werner, chairperson of the Namibia Poultry Producers’ Association, said opportunities exist for Namibia to grow its poultry sector and to move closer to self-sufficiency. Farmers Weekly reports that, according to Werner, there is ample opportunity for new investment in the industry. The country’s 6 egg producers, which are all located near the cities of Windhoek and Okahandja close to markets, feed, and other input suppliers, market about 100 million eggs per year.

Self sufficient

According to Werner, all indications are that Namibia could become self-sufficient in terms of egg production in the next 1 to 2 years. The industry still faces many challenges, including the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as cheap chicken imports and the high cost of imported inputs. Monthly demand for chicken is about 3,000 mt, of which only 1,700 mt are produced locally. Toward the end of 2020 the country experienced an increase in demand for chicken meat because of the high prices of red meat, including beef, mutton and venison.