Livestock sector plummets 28.7% as farmers restock
Exports Drop Sharply
Namibia's agriculture sector experienced a dramatic contraction in the third quarter of 2025, driven primarily by a steep 28.7% decline in the livestock subsector as farmers focused on rebuilding herds following drought conditions, according to the latest GDP report released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).The livestock sector's poor performance marked a sharp reversal from the 45 growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. The NSA attributed the decline to widespread restocking efforts by farmers recovering from the 2024 drought, which prompted a strategic shift away from marketing animals following subsequent rainfall.
Marketing activity collapses
Cattle marketing to export-approved abattoirs and butchers plummeted by 40%, compared with a 28% increase in third quarter of 2024. Live cattle exports fell dramatically by 56%, while small stock exports declined by 39%.
Small stock marketed to abattoirs demonstrated greater resilience, however, increasing by 36% against a 54% contraction in the previous year.
Sectoral drag on overall growth
The Agriculture and Forestry sector contracted by 23% in real value added during the quarter, contributing a negative 0.7 percentage points to the country's GDP growth. This dramatic decline overshadowed the sector's 3.3% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024.
Despite these agricultural headwinds, Namibia's economy expanded by 1.9% in the third quarter of 2025, though this represents a slowdown from the 2.1% growth registered in the corresponding period of 2024. In nominal terms, the economy expanded to N$66.4 billion from N$62.6 billion.
Electricity and water lead recovery
The standout performer was the electricity and water sector, which recorded the highest growth at 12.5%, driven by increased local electricity production and water consumption. Financial services activities grew by 8.4%, while wholesale and retail trade increased by 5.5%.
The education and health sectors maintained positive trajectories, expanding by 4.9% and 4.7% respectively, supported by increases in personnel numbers. The hotels and restaurants sector grew by 3.7%, reflecting continued recovery in tourism activities.
Mining decline persists
However, the mining and quarrying sector declined by 4%, attributed to decreased diamond production amid persistent weak global demand. Diamond mining registered a 9% decline, whilst metal ores production dropped by 13%. Construction also contracted by 5%, driven by reductions in building plans and government expenditure on construction activities.
Demand-side strength
On the demand side, Private Final Consumption Expenditure grew by 5%, a significant improvement from the 6.5% decline recorded in the third quarter of 2024, driven by increased household consumption. Government final consumption expenditure remained stable at 4%.
Encouragingly, the external balance deficit narrowed as exports of goods and services increased by 4.7%, while imports grew marginally by 0.3%.