Farmers north of Namibia’s veterinary cordon fence, also famously known as the Redline, could soon receive a much-needed lifeline for their cattle and related beef products, following Meatco’s recent fruitful engagements with the South African-based Shoprite Checkers Group. 

Meatco’s interim CEO Albertus !Aochamub and his leadership team recently held high-level consultations with senior members of the Shoprite Checkers Group at the group’s Western Cape headquarters in South Africa.

Discussions were in-depth and focused on opportunities for Meatco to supply red meat products from its abattoirs in Rundu and Katima Mulilo to Shoprite Checkers Group’s clients in the Central African markets. The Shoprite Checkers Group remains the largest food retailer on the African continent, with more than 2 900 stores across 15 countries and a deeply integrated supply chain system that reaches millions of consumers daily. 

“Their scale, logistics capabilities, and continental reach make them an essential strategic partner for expanding African-sourced food products into regional markets. Our engagement was positive and forward-looking, and we are optimistic about the potential for deeper collaboration that supports producers, strengthens regional trade, and unlocks new market opportunities for Namibia,” said !Aochamub.

For Meatco, the country’s largest meat processing and marketing entity, !Aochamub stated that the move is all about expanding the entity’s footprint and ensuring that products from Namibia’s communal and northern production systems reach premium regional markets.

“I was accompanied by one of our key clients, UBSA, headquartered in South Africa, along with the Meatco CFO and our accountant from our South African-based marketing company, which reflects the collaborative approach we are building across the value chain, he said.”

Meatco plays a critical role in assisting the government in stabilising the red meat industry, particularly by supporting farmers north of the Redline and abattoir operators in those areas. 

Resilience 

During the 2023/24 period, Meatco successfully slaughtered 60 820 cattle to surpass the budgeted target of 50 000. This achievement is a testament to its operational resilience and strategic planning, with plans in the pipeline to see Meatco slaughter over 105 000 cattle annually to meet market demand and expand its market share.

Meatco’s agro-processing and value-addition department continued to face evolving market dynamics, driven by changing consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. Still, it remained agile in responding to these shifts, leveraging market insights to tailor its product offerings and enhance competitiveness.

The state-owned beef processing and marketing entity plays a vital role in Namibia’s red meat industry, as it is the single biggest player in terms of approved slaughter capacity with international export certification, enabling livestock producers to access lucrative international markets.

Operations 

The Katima Mulilo abattoir continues to demonstrate positive performance, with increased sales and market realisations. However, challenges such as low slaughter numbers and infrastructural requirements demand attention for sustained growth and efficiency. 

Due to the low cattle supply, the abattoir operated in block-slaughter mode to maintain efficiency.

Meanwhile, the transfer of operational control of the Rundu abattoir to Meatco marked a significant milestone in the programme’s journey to strengthen the Beef Value Chain Development Programme for farmers in the northern communal areas.

The Rundu abattoir, constructed in 2014 at a cost of N$170 million, boasts a slaughter capacity of 80 to 120 cattle per day and offers a vital market for local livestock producers across the region.

This strategic move underscored Meatco’s commitment to advancing agricultural development and economic prosperity in the northern regions.

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na