Staff Reporter
The Hartlief Group last week confirmed the Mariental Abattoir, formerly known as Farmers Meat Market, will resume commercial operations in October 2022 after its closure in August 2020.
The Mariental Abattoir is a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group. After the severe droughts Namibia faced since 2013, the abattoir that was officially taken over by O&L through the Hartlief Group, was closed due to the low availability of sheep.
However, an increased demand for Namibian meat, combined with an increased number of animals available in the local market after two consecutive improved rain seasons, spurred the group to reinstate the operation of the abattoir.
The resumption of the abattoir will not only ensure a market for small stock producers with improved price points but also create employment opportunities in the Hardap region, supporting the O&L purpose of ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’.
Günther Ling, managing director of the Hartlief Group, said: “The re-opening and the regional and international certification of the abattoir is a significant achievement – not only for Hartlief and the O&L Group but for Namibian small stock farmers and the country at large. This route to market for Namibian producers allows us to become an international player and export our quality Namibian lamb with pride. This new business will also enable us to better meet the need to become food secure”.
The export abattoir, which currently awaits certification to export internationally, will officially start with local and regional supply, and it is expected to send its first shipment to Norway in November 2022.
Obtaining export status enables the Mariental Abattoir to capitalise on the lucrative, unexplored international market as well as the Southern African Development Community and potentially the bigger African market, which provides great potential and growth opportunities for business and Namibia as a whole.