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Namibia and South Africa are known not for vegetarian cuisine, but rather for their rich tradition of meat-based dishes. Overall meat consumption in South Africa has risen steadily over the past three decades, increasing from around 6.7kg per capita in 1990 to nearly 12.0kg in recent years.In contrast, Namibia’s average consumption has declined from highs of 8.0kg to just under 6.0kg. Broader differences in income growth, inequality, local market development, and potentially price accessibility explain some divergence, also likely driven by policy limitations, subsistence-based farming and the export-oriented nature of the farming industry.The South African Beef and Poultry consumption per capita is 3.3x and 4.5x larger than Namibia’s, respectively. These two industries mainly contribute to the large divergence in the averages between the two countries, where beef and poultry are staple protein sources.The volatility in Namibia’s beef consumption is likely linked to its reliance on domestic cattle production, which is particularly vulnerable to drought. In contrast, beef consumption in South Africa has been more stable and gradually increasing, now standing at around 15kg per capita.Namibians consume significantly more fish than South Africans, due to Namibia’s fishing culture and less restrictive fishing regulations. However, per capita intake has declined over the past two decades in Namibia, potentially due to a growing priority on exports. The “Other” type of meat categorises game meat, and Namibia’s consumption is 5x higher than South Africa’s within this category.South Africa’s more rapid urbanisation and better access to commercial food markets is reflected. Namibia has a smaller population, and export-oriented industries that rely on traditional meat sources, which are less able to benefit from economies of scale.

Chart of the Week

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Republikein 2026-02-03

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Chart of the Week

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Republikein 2026-02-03

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