Swakara was coined as a brand name by the Karakul farmers of the then South West Africa, now Namibia, and South Africa, as their Karakul sheep had specific characteristics that those from other parts of the world did not have.

Karakul sheep are multi-purpose animals originating from the dry regions of Central Asia. Since the first ten ewes and two rams made their way into Southern Africa via Germany in 1907, they have adapted to their new hotter and dryer environment. In 2016, the then Chairman of the Swakara Board of Namibia, stated that “the arid semi desert conditions prevailing in southern and western Namibia proved to be an environment where the sheep thrived without having any negative impact on the very fragile ecosystem, and delivered a high-value agricultural product”.

Economics

Agra is a Namibian based farmers’ co-operative responsible for the marketing and export of all Swakara pelts. They are committed to developing and implementing strategies for expanding the industry, imparting knowledge and directly supporting the farmers.

The product certainly has a high agricultural value. During the March 2019 auction, Agra sent 32 975 pelts to Denmark. The consignment consisted of 18 952 black (57,47%), 8 877 white (26,92%), 1 830 spotted (5,55%), 2 162 grey (6,56%), 452 brown (1,37%) and 702 diverse pelts (2,13%). The average price obtained on the day was N$452,53. This was 2% less than the average of the September 2018 auction, but it can be attributed to an unfavourable exchange rate between the N$ and the Danish Krone.

The average price achieved for black Swakara pelts was N$461,63, an increase of 20,37% over Sept 2018. White pelts sold for an average N$551,06, representing a 21,85% decline compared to Sept 2018. Spotted pelts sold for N$313,45, an increase of 38,84% compared to Sept 2018, whilst brown pelts sold for N$426,36 and grey pelts for N$269,99.

The auction was attended by 22 successful bidders. The top Namibian producer with more than 250 pelts was Raynold Losper. He achieved an average price of N$712,04 for his 400 pelts. Due to the outbreak of foot-and mouth disease in South Africa, the South African pelts were not sold during the March 2019 auction. (Source: www.agra.com.na)

Swakara also provides new opportunities for emerging farmers through AGRA’s commitment to expand the Swakara industry. They provide access to international markets with their participation in Copenhagen Fur Auction, but they also organise regular local auctions.

There will be an auction held on 23 October 2019 in Keetmanshoop for those who are interested in trading with the Karakul sheep. Not only does the Swakara industry of Namibia provide job opportunities for the producers of Swakara pelts, of which there are over 600, but there are also secondary industries as a spin-off.

The processing of the pelts has created jobs that stimulated the Namibian economy on a local community level. The industry has developed slowly and sustainably over the years and is now a significant economic contributor to the improvement of the lives of many Namibians.

Agra is the main marketer for the Swakara pelts. Jaco van Zyl from Agra explained the process. He said that farmers deliver their pelts throughout the year to ‘The House of Swakara’, where pelts are sorted, graded and shipped to the auction house in Copenhagen, Denmark. Throughout the sorting and grading process, jobs are created to stimulate the local economy.

Farming

Due to the fact that the Swakara breed is so well adapted to suit the dry conditions of Southern Africa, they can be maintained on a free-range feeding system, even in times of drought. Additional feed can be given when necessary, but the sheep uses the fatty tail to store energy for times when food becomes scarce.

Swakara sheep are mediumsized animals, which also means that they need less nourishment than bigger sheep breeds. An average mature ram can weigh between 80 and 100 kg, with an average mature ewe ranging from 45 to 68 kg. They are not only able to survive harsh climates, but also have a resistance against intestinal parasites and foot-rot disease. An ewe can produce three lambs in a two-year cycle if managed correctly, thereby increasing profitability. Single lambs are usually born, but twins are not uncommon. The ewes have excellent maternal qualities that results in a high lamb survival rate.

Swakara pelts are a mixture of coarse and fine fibres. The colour varies from shades of black to grey and tan. Most lambs are born with black coats with wavy curls. As the sheep matures, the wool loses its curl and the colour turns to a bluish grey, getting lighter with age. Older sheep have a double coat that consists of a fine undercoat and a rougher guard coat. The Swakara breed moved away from the long and curly type of hair and instead breeds short and strong hair that sets Swakara apart from the traditional Asian Karakul.

The Swakara sheep has a lot to offer the producers in Southern Africa. This breed is well-adjusted to the arid conditions prevailing in large parts of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. It is world-renowned for producing magnificent pelts that are used in the high-end fashion industry, but also produces meat and milk, allowing for diversification and thereby reducing the risks of farming a single product.

Products

Apart from the pelts already mentioned, the Swakara sheep can be used to produce:

• Meat that is very lean and a lot healthier with less fat than other common sheep breeds.

• Milk that is used for producing butter and cheese. These products are considered delicacies and are also highly profitable.

• Apart from the pelts, the wool is also a highly sought-after product. The wool of adult sheep is used for weaving carpets and other heavy fabrics. The Karakul produces a light-weight, high-volume, strong fibre fleece, that at its best is long and lustrous, usually with no crimping. It is easily spun, with little preparation. It produces a superior carpet yarn, is often used for rugs and saddle blankets, outer garments and wall-hangings, and has an excellent felting ability. It is the wool from which the art of felting evolved.

Overall, the Swakara is an excellent sheep breed that can be kept sustainably in areas that are not suitable for other types of agricultural activity. Their versatility ensures the farmer multiple income opportunities, and their hardy nature means that they are less labour intensive to farm with. Swakara is a breed from Africa, for Africa.

For more information, contact George Pearson who is the agent for the Keetmanshoop auction. (+264-63-223-321 /+264 (0) 81-122-3623).