7. Organic Livestock Production - Local and International Markets

Eckhart Fortsch, a certified organic farmer and vice-chair for the Namibian Organic Association, shared insights on the local and international markets of organic livestock production. He emphasized that organic agriculture provides assurances from third-party and independent inspectors, ensuring the integrity of organic products. In Europe, organic beef enjoys a price premium of about 15-20%, while in the U.S., the premium ranges from 40-80% compared to conventionally produced beef from feedlots. The organic market is demand-driven, with higher demand than supply, leading to a price advantage for organic products. As consumer awareness increases, the market for organic produce grows, as only certified organic products guarantee the absence of harmful chemicals.