Namibia’s poultry industry has continued its upward trajectory and is now ranked as the second-largest source of cash income for farmers, according to the latest annual report from the Namibia Agricultural Union.
The union projects further growth on the back of fresh capital spending, tighter enforcement of industry regulations and gradual improvements in supply chains, while cautioning that high feed prices, erratic weather patterns and biosecurity threats could slow momentum.
Production figures contained in the report show that broiler output increased by 14.94% in 2024, while egg production recorded a 6.63% rise over the same period, reflecting sustained demand in the domestic market.
In the first six months of 2025, more than 14.3 million chickens were sold, a development largely attributed to operations at Namibia Poultry Industries and the market entry of Kadila Poultry.
Figures from the Poultry Producers Association indicate that small and medium-sized producers are expanding their footprint, collectively turning out about 60,000 broilers each week, while the overall flock health situation remains stable with no active disease outbreaks recorded.
Despite these gains, the egg segment continues to face pressure linked to imports of day-old chicks and point-of-lay hens, which industry players say affect local production planning and margins.
Biosecurity and border controls in focus
Concerns have also been raised about the risk of avian influenza entering Namibia from South Africa, where unreported outbreaks could expose local farms to infection.
Throughout 2025, producers have been engaging state institutions through the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, holding consultations aimed at strengthening oversight and discussing the introduction of levies to finance border inspections and limit illegal poultry imports.
Collaboration has further involved the Directorate of Veterinary Services, which is drafting an Avian Influenza Master Plan after receiving industry submissions designed to tighten farm-level biosecurity standards.
Separate talks between the NAU and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board have addressed structural bottlenecks in the value chain, with proposals tabled to improve operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the sector continues to import roughly 50,000 tonnes of yellow maize annually to meet feed requirements, even as government-backed Green Scheme projects seek to expand domestic crop output and stakeholders consider alternatives such as soybeans to reduce dependence on external supplies.
