FMD shock hits livestock economy

Namibia’s livestock sector has been hit by a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the country’s previously FMD-free zone, prompting a nationwide suspension of livestock movements and exports.

The ministry of agricultureconfirmed on 23 September that FMD had been detected on a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas Region.

Ten of 11 cattle showing clinical signs of the disease tested positive at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek.

The ministry has suspended the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products across the country, as well as imports and exports of cloven-hoofed animals and their products until further notice.

The restrictions affect cattle producers, livestock traders, abattoirs, meat processors and exporters.

Savanna confirms impact

Savanna Beef Processors confirmed the outbreak in a notice to the Namibia Securities Exchange.

“It is with concern that Savanna Beef Processors Limited (‘Savanna’) is able to confirm the rumours that were circulated today,” the company said.

“Be assured that Savanna will try to weather these storms to the best of our abilities,” its board said.

Savanna operates a N$436.5 million abattoir and meat-processing facility and has secured export accreditation for the European Union and SADC markets.

The company processed 12,603 cattle between 27 August 2025 and 31 July 2026 and paid N$267.95 million to producers during the period.

The company has not disclosed the financial impact of the latest restrictions.

Livestock sector generates N$2.1bn in FX

Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani said the livestock sector generated more than N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange in 2025.

The sector contributed about 3.5% of GDP in the 2025/26 financial year and supported more than 45,000 direct jobs in primary production and about 12,000 technical jobs in export and processing facilities, according to figures reported by The Namibian.

The latest restrictions therefore affect a sector with significant links to agricultural production, meat processing and exports.

A March 2026 analysis by Simonis Storm estimated that a six-month disruption to beef exports following an FMD outbreak could result in N$2.5 billion to N$3 billion in export losses and reduce GDP growth by about 0.5 percentage points.

The analysis estimated Namibia’s annual beef export value at about N$5.7 billion, with between N$3 billion and N$3.6 billion exposed to the EU and UK markets.

Those figures were scenario estimates published before the current outbreak and are not estimates of the losses resulting from the latest FMD case.

Cirrus: more than N$600m raised

Cirrus Capital co-founder and director Romé Mostert said the investment firm had advised Savanna since before its incorporation.

Cirrus worked on the company's business plans and strategic structures and helped raise more than N$600 million in capital for the business, Mostert said.

Commenting on the outbreak, Mostert said it affected the wider livestock value chain, including farmers, producers, abattoirs, processors, workers and rural communities.

Bank Windhoek reaffirms N$2m commitment

Bank Windhoek has reaffirmed its N$2 million commitment to Namibia’s national FMD Support Fund.

The bank pledged the funding in February 2026.

Bank Windhoek managing director James Chapman said the commitment was made to support preparedness and protect the agricultural sector, livelihoods and food security.

The bank said it would continue engaging with government, industry bodies and other stakeholders as the national response develops.