The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), the country’s largest meat processing and marketing entity, has successfully fulfilled and delivered the entire 1 200-tonne for its Norwegian beef quota.
This marks yet another milestone for the organisation on the global stage.
The final consignment of the 1 200-tonne Norwegian quota was loaded and shipped to that country last week Wednesday.
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, equating to 1,153.5 tonnes of beef, which reflects 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.
Albertus Aochamub, Meatco’s interim CEO, underscored that the latest achievement speaks to both the entity’s renewed spirit and multi-dimensional strategy, which are anchored around operational resilience and striving for global standards.
“Norway remains a cornerstone of Meatco’s marketing strategy and a trusted partner for Namibia’s world-class beef. Successfully fulfilling this year’s quota reflects not only our operational resilience but also our commitment to ensuring optimal returns for producers and sustainable growth for the national economy”, he said.
“We deeply value the long-standing confidence of our Norwegian clients and will continue to foster partnerships that deliver competitive and profitable outcomes for all stakeholders,” said Aochamub.
A+ grading
Meanwhile, Meatco also recently scored big on the safety and quality assurance front after its Windhoek abattoir was awarded an A+ grade certification following an audit conducted by the British Retail Consortium Global Standard (BRCGS) for Food Safety.
The A+ distinction is the highest rating possible in any industry auditing.
This outstanding achievement marks an improvement from the abattoir’s previous A grade rating in 2024, demonstrating Meatco’s continuous commitment to global best practices in food safety, quality and compliance.
Although the audit process identified eight minor non-conformances, Aochamub said each was promptly addressed through corrective and preventive measures, resulting in the successful closure of the audit report.
The audit highlighted several key strengths at the Windhoek abattoir, which included strong leadership and commitment from senior management to a robust food safety and quality culture, a well-structured Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan reviewed quarterly and covering microbiological, chemical, physical, allergen, fraud and radiological risks.
An effective traceability system capable of tracking products both backward and forward within 3-4 hours was implemented as well as a comprehensive complaint handling and incident management system, which saw zero product recalls over the past 12 months.
Verified compliance with food safety regulations from Namibia, the European Union, the United States Department of Agriculture and South Africa, including halal certification and compliance with the Farm Assured Scheme, were also prioritised. “Achieving the A+ grade is a clear demonstration of our relentless pursuit of excellence and our responsibility to deliver world-class beef that meets the highest global standards. This result reflects the dedication of our employees, the trust of our producers and the confidence of our international partners. It reaffirms Meatco’s role as a custodian of Namibia’s reputation in global markets,” stated Aochamub.
– ohembapu@nepc.com.na