High cost of Boer goat exports to SA puts pressure on Namibian farmers

For Namibian farmers, exporting live Boer goats to South Africa comes with significant compliance costs, raising questions about whether these expenses can be reduced without compromising animal health.

By Charl van Rooyen, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

South Africa remains the main market for Namibia’s exports of live Boer goats, with about 98% destined for the South African traditional market.

The Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU) states in its 7 August newsletter that every livestock producer understands the importance of animal health. Disease surveillance, testing and vaccination help protect Namibia’s livestock industry and keep important export markets open to its producers.

Also read: How communal farmers could cash in on SA’s R1.2 billion goat meat export plan

To access the South African market, Namibian goat farmers must comply with South African animal-health import requirements, including testing for Brucella melitensis.

This comes at a cost, however. Exporting Boer goats is expensive, and every additional compliance cost reduces the amount of money that ultimately reaches the farmer, putting further pressure on already limited profits.

Laboratory testing is just one part of the process. Farmers also pay for blood sampling, veterinary services, transport, export documentation, feed and labour while goats are being prepared for export. The average cost of exporting a goat to South Africa is currently R485, about 30% of the average auction price.

Namibia’s strong reputation for animal health remains one of the country’s greatest competitive advantages and must always be protected, the NAU says. However, it is equally important to ask whether existing import protocols remain the most effective and scientifically appropriate way to achieve that goal.

With more than 1.4 million goats exported to South Africa between 2016 and 2026, even small savings per animal could make a significant difference to farmers’ incomes. If compliance costs can be reduced without compromising animal health, both farmers and the livestock industry will benefit.

Estimated cost of exporting goats to South Africa (2026)

Source: Namibian Agricultural Union

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