Introduction
The Livestock Marketing Unit (LMU), which falls under the Animal Production Division, was established in 1992. Its main purpose was to formulate and implement livestock marketing programs. These include livestock sales, market information, and market research.

Mandate
The mandate of the livestock marketing unit is to promote and facilitate efficient livestock marketing intelligence and to improve market forecasts through the establishment of appropriate marketing information, the projection of market demands and the regulation of imports and exports and the establishment of marketing groups and agents.  

Staffing
The unit currently has four officers and two laborers (see organizational chart below). It is headed by the Animal Husbandry Officer(AHO) who is responsible for  coordinating livestock marketing activities; and is assisted by the Livestock Extension Officer (LEO) who is also responsible for poultry marketing activities countrywide. Both these officers are based at Head Office. The unit has an office at Manzini, a centrally located region. This office is responsible for all livestock auction sales in the country and is manned by the LEO assisted by the Auctioneer and the two laborers.

Services

i) Auction Sales
There are twenty four cattle auction sales yards around the country where cattle producers send their livestock (cattle, occasionally sheep and goats) on specified days in the marketing calendar produces by the unit. The sales are organized by the Livestock Marketing Unit (LMU) in collaboration with the Veterinary Assistants (VA’s) who are in constant contact with cattle owners through the dipping programme. The main buyers are urban meat traders who are in wholesaling and retailing.
Specifications for the Grades

‘Super’ – steers or heifers up to two years old irrespective of weight and which comply with the requirements for first grade beef as regards flesh and conformation.

‘Prime’ – Oxen, steers and heifers between 3 and 5 years, well fleshed, in good condition.

‘Good Average Quality’ – Oxen, steers cows and heifers between 3 and 5 years and in good condition

‘Fair Average Quality’ – Cows and oxen above 5 years, moderately fleshed but lacking in the conformation for the higher quality grades.

‘Bull’–All bulls and stags irrespective of age.

‘Compound’ – All cattle of inferior quality.
 

ii) Flea Markets

Flea markets were introduced as one of the marketing strategies to guide and facilitate the marketing of indigenous chickens. This followed the launching of the commercialization programme for indigenous chicken production in 2009 by the Ministry of Agriculture. The LMU in collaboration with the Poultry Section produces a marketing calendar, organize sales where all indigenous chicken produces are free to bring their chickens for sale. The price of the chickens is negotiated between the buyer and the seller. The main buyers are individuals who either buy chickens for consumption or breeding purposes.

Flea markets are held at urban areas where the demand for indigenous chicken meat was found to be high. The LMU, is currently working on developing a marketing system for dressed indigenous chickens targeting mainly restaurants, and supermarkets.The main buyers at flea markets are individuals who either buy chickens for consumption or breeding.

iii) Market Information

The LMU collects sales data at the above mentioned sales and produce market information which is mainly disseminated through the national radio. The type of information provided includes prices and quantities reaching the markets. Users of this information include producers, traders, consumers, government and other stakeholders.

iv) Sales of Indigenous Chicken

Flea markets were introduced as one of the marketing strategies to guide and facilitate the marketing of indigenous chickens. This followed the launching of the commercialization programme for indigenous chicken production in 2009 by the Ministry of Agriculture. The LMU in collaboration with the Poultry Section produces a marketing calendar, organize sales where all indigenous chicken produces are free to bring their chickens for sale. The price of the chickens is negotiated between the buyer and the seller. The main buyers are individuals who either buy chickens for consumption or breeding purposes. Flea markets are held at urban areas where the demand for indigenous chicken meat was found to be high. The LMU, is currently working on developing a marketing system for dressed indigenous chickens targeting mainly restaurants, and supermarkets. The main buyers at flea markets are individuals who either buy chickens for consumption or breeding.

 Who applies for the services

• Citizens
• Farmers (on Swazi Nation Land (SNL) or Title Deed Land(TDL)

 How to apply     

• This section works in collaboration with the Veterinary Assistants (VA’s)who are in constant contact with the farmers or community members.
• The individual or farmer can apply contact the nearest Veterinary Assistant Offices in his/her area.
• The farmer or individual can contact the Livestock Marketing Unit offices at the Ministry of Agriculture head offices in Mbabane.

 When to apply

 Anytime of year