Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zone is in jeopardy. This follows confirmation of an FMD outbreak in ten cattle on a commercial farm in the country’s Karasburg area. Acting minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, Dr Charles Mubita, on 23 September confirmed that the disease was detected on 22 September, and that ten out of 11 samples taken on the farm tested positive for FMD. The Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek conducted the testing.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Namibia was one of the first countries to be granted FMD-free zone status without vaccination in 1997, after implementing zoning since 1994. The country has successfully secured and maintained its FMD-free zone since this official recognition by WOAH, despite outbreaks that continued to unfold in the rest of the country.
An export-driven meat industry
The outbreak spells disaster for a country that has exported its red meat mostly to the European Union (EU) for some time. The first EU export agreement was entered into as far back as 1990. Since 2016, it has been exporting its beef quota-free to the EU. However, the FMD outbreak has now forced the government to announce a suspension of the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and animal products in the country, including the import and export of all such animals and products. The suspension takes effect immediately and is instituted under the country’s Animal Health Act, 2011 (Act 1 of 2011).
The EU is Namibia’s most valuable beef export market, accounting for approximately 46% of exports. Other countries that import Namibian beef products include South Africa, Norway, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States (US). In 2025 the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) also achieved a historic first when it secured permission to ship animal hides to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
According to Meatco’s 2024/25 figures, overseas markets took 47% of beef sales volume but brought in 84% of revenue. The EU and Norway together made up about 98% of that beef revenue. While South Africa accounts for large volumes, Europe provides most of the revenue.
Earlier this year, Namibia also announced it was looking to carve out a niche for its beef in the Chinese market. This coincided with China’s announcement that it would grant zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations on 1 May. In 2019, Namibia became the first African country to export beef to China and later the first African country to export meat to the world’s biggest beef consumer, the US.
In April this year, the Namibian authorities also approved Savanna Beef Processors’ application to export beef to the UK, EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. Savanna Beef is a producer-driven export beef processor with approximately 730 shareholders.
Further control measures to follow
Dr Mubita said in a statement that further control measures will be announced through a veterinary public notice. The goal of the measures is to contain the outbreak as quickly as possible, he said. He called for co-operation and adherence among all stakeholders to prevent the disease from spreading further, emphasising that the outbreak has serious implications for the national economy and the livelihoods of Namibians.
Meanwhile, the Namibian Agricultural Union, or NAU, has called for a state of emergency, saying the outbreak poses a serious threat to the livestock industry. It has called on all livestock producers to act responsibly and in the interest of the industry. – Lynette Louw, Plaas Media
