Illegal egg dumping challenges Namibian poultry sector

NAMIBIA – Poultry farmers are imperilled following an alarming issue of illegal dumping of eggs disguised as in-transit exports, according to a report from a Namibian agriculture and aquaculture department.

According to the report by Simonis Storm Securities, despite Namibia’s self-sufficiency in local egg production, the dumping activities conducted by Zambian farmers continue to undermine the sector’s stability.

“The Oshikango border is the primary hotspot for such illicit trade, and this is a serious threat to the livelihoods of domestic poultry farmers,” the report stated.

“Zambian truck drivers, arriving for export purposes at the port of Walvis Bay, are illicitly selling eggs within Namibia.”

Therefore the report has urged the government to implement stricter border control and sustained efforts to curb illegal egg dumping with immediate effect.

“Namibian poultry farmers require greater protection and support to safeguard their industry and ensure its continued growth and stability,” it noted.

The report also highlighted the dominant presence of Waldschmidt Eggs in the local poultry industry, estimated to hold approximately 75% of the market share.

However, it noted that even with the significant share, the sector has faced challenges due to the rising production costs, which have surged by 22% over the past years.

Moreover, due to heightened competition in the sector in both the egg and the broiler, numerous operations have spurred up causing individuals to seek sideline businesses.

The Namibian poultry industry has been in the progress to recover from the post-pandemic impacts of the Covid-19 restrictions and has continued showing ample opportunity for expansion in the sector.

According to Rene Werner, chairperson of the Namibia Poultry Producers’ Association, Namibia is dependent on imports, but looking to the future opportunities exist for Namibia to grow its poultry sector and to move closer to self-sufficiency.

“There is ample opportunity for new investment in the industry. The country’s 6 egg producers, which are all located near the cities of Windhoek and Okahandja close to markets, feed, and other input suppliers, market about 100 million eggs per year,” he said.

In 2021, Werner highlighted that all indications showed that Namibia could become self-sufficient in terms of egg production in the next 1 to 2 years.

However, the industry still faced many challenges, including the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as cheap chicken imports and the high cost of imported inputs.

Toward the end of 2020, the country experienced an increase in demand for chicken meat because of the high prices of red meat, including beef, mutton and venison.

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