Namibia’s Prime Minister backs Meatco recovery as beef exports and cattle procurement improve
The company has completed its 2026 Norwegian beef export quota and procured about 29,000 cattle by mid July.
NAMIBIA – Namibia’s Prime Minister, Dr Elijah Ngurare, together with Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Ruthy Masake, visited Meatco’s Windhoek Abattoir, where they expressed support for the state owned meat processor’s ongoing recovery and growth programme.
During the visit, government officials reviewed Meatco’s return to profitability, the successful completion of Namibia’s 2026 beef export quota to Norway and the company’s livestock procurement performance, which reached approximately 29,000 cattle by the middle of July.
The discussions also focused on Meatco’s renewed Northern Communal Area Push Strategy, which is intended to expand market opportunities for livestock producers, increase value addition and improve access to regional and international beef markets.
Government and Meatco further explored plans to increase processing capacity, encourage greater participation by livestock producers, expand value added beef exports and strengthen Namibia’s livestock value chain.
The visit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the development of a more competitive and inclusive livestock industry while improving opportunities for producers across the country.
Export gains and food safety certification support growth
The latest developments follow Meatco’s recent achievement of a Blue Rating in a Woolworths food safety audit, a certification that meets the retailer’s supplier requirements and supports the company’s plans to supply premium Namibian beef products to the supermarket chain.
The audit, conducted by independent assessors from AVUTOM Consultants in June 2026, evaluated Meatco’s production operations, food safety systems, product traceability, documentation and animal welfare practices against Woolworths standards and South African red meat industry requirements.
Interim Chief Executive Officer Albertus Aochamub previously said the certification reflects the company’s continued focus on food safety and supports its strategy to increase the supply of consumer ready beef products packaged for retail markets.
Earlier this year, Meatco also reported that by 17 April it had already utilised 45.2% of its annual Norwegian beef export allocation after shipping 521,017.59 kilograms from its yearly quota of 1,153,477 kilograms, exceeding the utilisation rates recorded during the same period in 2024 and 2025.
The company’s financial performance also improved during the year ended 31 January 2025, with revenue increasing to US$103.6 million from US$66.8 million, while operating profit before tax reached approximately US$5.9 million, compared with a loss of US$8.3 million in the previous financial year.
Management attributed the turnaround to a restructuring programme introduced in November 2024, which included stronger financial controls, governance reforms and operational improvements designed to increase efficiency, strengthen market access and improve returns for livestock producers.
During the same reporting period, Meatco processed 75,268 cattle south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence and a further 7,844 cattle in the Northern Veterinary Area.
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