The objective of this study was to assess and document the performance of the Namibia Swakara pelt sold at the Copenhagen Fur Auction from 1994 to 2013. The Karakul sheep was first introduced into Namibia in 1907 from Central Asia via Germany. Thereafter, Karakul farming slowly developed into a new agricultural enterprise in Namibia, provided jobs to thousands of Namibians, and contributed significantly to Namibia’s economy. Revolutionary work was done in the improvement of Karakul pelt in Namibia, resulting in pelts that are different from the original Karakul species with very unique pelts that have short hair, exceptional patterns and better hair texture. Hence, the renaming of the Karakul sheep to Swakara. The Swakara pelts are exported for auctions at Copenhagen, Denmark. However, the performance on its auctions is not well documented. This study involved historical data recorded on the numbers of Swakara in Namibia, pelts sold at Copenhagen Fur Auction, and gross income from the Swakara sheep industry from 1994 to 2013. Descriptive statistics were computed. The overall estimated Swakara flock in Namibia and South Africa in 2013 is 261,848 and 34,254, respectively. Results showed that the number of Swakara pelts offered at Copenhagen Fur between 1994 and 2013 fluctuated, with year 2003 having the highest number of pelts offered, of 144,035. The average price per pelt has been increasing steadily from (N$ 62.5 in 1994, to N$ 697 in 2013), and the gross income ranged from N$ 7,607,284 in 1994, to N$ 86,315,323 in 2013.
"Experientia docet" - Experience is the best teacher