FMD restrictions cloud livestock recovery
The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) has warned that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions could disrupt livestock marketing for one to three months and affect access to premium export markets for six to 12 months.
The association said the disruption could squeeze farmers’ cash flow, increase operating costs and undermine Namibia’s projected recovery in livestock farming.
Farmers face mounting pressure
Farmers could face delayed sales, lower cash receipts and higher biosecurity and livestock maintenance costs as movement restrictions and market disruptions take their toll.
Abattoirs, feedlots, transporters, auctioneers and processors could also experience reduced activity, working hours and income if marketing remains constrained.
The EAN urged farmers and livestock owners to co-operate with surveillance teams, comply with movement restrictions and maintain accurate animal identification and movement records. Traders, transporters and auctioneers should also follow veterinary instructions.
Consumers were urged to avoid panic buying, purchase meat from registered retailers and rely on official veterinary information. Businesses supplying livestock products and emergency materials should avoid unjustified price increases.
Call for financial support
The EAN called on the government to engage financial institutions to help viable farmers and businesses manage temporary cash-flow pressures and avoid prolonged financial distress.
It also urged continued engagement with trading partners to restore market access and called for transparent communication to contain the disease, protect livelihoods and rebuild confidence in Namibia’s livestock industry.
Before the outbreaks, the Bank of Namibia projected livestock farming to grow by 2.2% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027. The EAN warned that the recovery now faces considerable downside risks, particularly if marketing and export restrictions remain in place for an extended period.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing employed about 88 277 people in Namibia, representing 16.1% of national employment and approximately 34% of rural employment, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s 2023 Population and Housing Census Labour Force Report. Although the figures cover activities beyond livestock farming, they highlight agriculture’s importance to rural livelihoods and household incomes.
Export restrictions
As of 14 October 2026, 131 animals had tested positive for FMD across 18 farms in the Karasburg Veterinary District, following inspections of 63 011 animals. The outbreak remained confined to that district.
A separate outbreak was confirmed in the Zambezi Region, although investigations had not established a direct link between the two outbreaks.
The European Union temporarily suspended imports from Namibia’s previously FMD-free zone of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat, certain farmed and wild ungulates, and some processed meat products, including biltong and jerky.
The EAN welcomed the government’s engagement with the EU over meat products produced before 23 September 2026 and encouraged similar engagement with other trading partners.
