Namibia’s agricultural sector faces mounting economic pressure after foot-and-mouth disease spread to the Zambezi Region, compounding an ongoing crisis in the southern Karasburg district that has triggered international trade suspensions and halted major export abattoir operations.
Zambezi Region Detection Expands the Outbreak
Namibia detected foot-and-mouth disease in the Zambezi Region, marking a second affected area following the initial southern outbreak in the Kharas Region. Veterinary officials observed 20 cattle showing clinical symptoms at Kalala Island in Kabe Constituency, according to Xinhua. All 12 samples collected from the animals tested positive for the virus.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform suspended the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and raw products throughout the Zambezi Region. Officials also halted livestock auctions, animal gatherings, and slaughter at local abattoirs and informal markets, while emergency vaccination programs and intensive surveillance commenced.
Vaccination teams prepared to deploy to the Karasburg outbreak epicenter, with vaccination scheduled to begin once schedules were agreed upon by relevant stakeholders.
Foot and Mouth Disease Spreads Across 15 Farms
The crisis began when SAT1 foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed on September 23 in the Karasburg State Veterinary District. Figures announced by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah showed that confirmed cases reached 127 across 15 farms in the ǁKharas Region, up from 79 positive samples across 11 farms reported days earlier by Minister Inge Zaamwani. The cumulative totals across the affected southern zone rose to 127 cattle, 50 sheep, one goat, and one pig testing positive across 15 farms.
The Namibian government previously estimated that approximately R190 million was required for its critical containment response, including about R47 million for approximately 290 kilometres of new disease-control fencing along a proposed route from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais.
International Export Bans and Trade Suspensions
The detection of the virus inside Namibia’s historically disease-free zone south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence led international bodies and trading partners to suspend market access. The World Organisation for Animal Health suspended Namibia’s recognised FMD-free status for the affected zone, while the United Kingdom withdrew authorisation for fresh beef imports from the territory. DEFRA amended its fresh meat country listing to temporarily suspend imports of bovine, ovine, and caprine fresh meat from the whole territory of Namibia regardless of production or certification date, and published safeguard declarations restricting imports of untreated wool, hair, and animal casings from susceptible species.
The European Union published a temporary ban on imports of fresh beef, sheep, and goat meat, farmed and wild ungulates, and processed items like biltong and jerky. EU Ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins stated:
The measures are aimed at protecting animal health while Namibia works to contain the outbreak.
Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia
Namibia has responded with speed and transparency, and we commend its veterinary services for their professional response. The EU and Namibia have a longstanding partnership, including in trade and agriculture. We stand ready to continue working with the Namibian Government and its veterinary authorities as they work to contain the outbreak and protect farmers’ livelihoods. We are also assessing how we can further support Namibia in this difficult task. Ambassador
Despite the fresh meat restrictions, the EU established a 90-day transitional grace period for fresh meat consignments certified by Namibian authorities before September 23, subject to final checks at border control posts. Certain processed meat subjected to prescribed risk-mitigating treatment also remains eligible for entry. The restrictions do not alter preferential market access under the EU–SADC Economic Partnership Agreement.
Economic Fallout Across the Red Meat Industry
The livestock value chain is Namibia’s largest agricultural employer, encompassing over 45,000 direct jobs in primary production, more than 12,000 high-value technical jobs in export and meat processing facilities, and generally sustaining about 70% of the Namibian population. Savanna Beef suspended cattle deliveries and slaughter orders following the government directive, creating immediate commercial disruption as the processor works to ramp up its N$436.5 million (US$26.21 million) facility.
“Today was a sobering day for Namibia’s livestock industry. The confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in our FMD-free zone affects every link in the value chain: the farmers and producers, the abattoirs and processors, the workers and their families, and the rural communities that depend on them.”
Romé Mostert, co-founder of Cirrus Capital
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that the response requires all hands on deck and called on all Namibians to do their part, support affected communities, and work together to safeguard the industry.