A few weeks ago, Jochem Versloot, the co-founder of Jan Zandbergen Group, one of Europe’s biggest meat products importers, visited Namibia and various local abattoirs to inspect and appreciate the quality of the country’s export-ready grass and grain-fed cattle.

The Jan Zandbergen Group, Meatco’s foremost trade partner in the Netherlands and across the entire European meat market, manages over 4 500 consignments annually through 10 Border Control Points across the European Union. 

“This week, visiting Meatco Namibia, checking out the grass and grain-fed conditions, both coming from very rural and extensive production,” said Versloot in a recent light-hearted social media post while visiting one of the local farms where export-ready cattle are kept. 

Mainly sourced from Namibia, Uruguay, and Brazil, the Netherlands-based distributor’s selection of grass-fed beef cattle is raised on these farms with ample space to graze and roam freely, ensuring a better quality of life. 

This results not only in delicious flavour, but also in nutritious meat rich in vitamin E and other essential nutrients, qualities in high demand in the European market. 

“Thanks to the natural grass-fed diet, our beef has a robust and refined flavour. The stress-free environment in which the animals live ensures that the meat is tender and flavourful. At Jan Zandbergen, we specialise in supplying high-quality beef from around the world. Our product range includes both grass-fed and grain-fed beef, sourced from countries such as Namibia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Japan. What makes our beef unique is the aging that occurs during transport. This ensures we can always deliver top-quality, fresh, and frozen beef,” said Versloot.

Namibia’s beef is produced naturally, without antibiotics and hormones. The cattle thrive on the nutrient-rich grasslands of Namibia, where they lead a stress-free, healthy lifestyle – attributes rarely found in other beef markets around the world. 

The country’s beef remains the toast of the European market, as about 46% of it is mainly exported to the European Union, with South Africa the second-biggest importer of Namibian beef at around 20.5%, Norway (12.9%) and 20.4% to China and the rest of Africa. 

As a result of improved international demand for Namibian beef, Meatco generated N$865 million in revenue in 2022/23, compared to N$752 million in 2021/22, with international sales generating over N$563.8 million in the 2024 fiscal year. 

The EU accounted for 25% of Meatco’s total revenue, South Africa 11%, Norway 27%, and China/Asia for 11% in 2024. 

Inroads 

Late last year, Meatco successfully fulfilled and delivered the entire 1 200-tonne quota for Norwegian beef, marking yet another milestone for the organisation on the global stage. 

The Norwegian market, which remains a critical avenue for Namibia’s beef sector, has long been one of Meatco’s most profitable export destinations, consistently contributing more than 20% to the corporation’s turnover. 

To fulfil the 2025 allocation, Meatco shipped a total of 45 loads, amounting to 1 153.5 tonnes of beef, reflecting the application of Norway’s quota conversion requirements under the Regulations on Distribution of Quotas on Agricultural Goods (2020).

Under the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) Agreement with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Namibia continues to enjoy duty-free trade concessions with Norway. These preferential arrangements allow for optimal returns, ensuring that the benefits of full quota utilisation extend to Namibian producers and the broader national economy. 

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na