AGRICULTURE MINISTER UNDERTAKES WORKING VISIT TO MEATCO

Windhoek, 9 September 2026 - The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), Hon. Inge Zaamwani (MP) undertook a working visit to the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) facilities in Windhoek where she received a detailed briefing on the Corporation’s performance, progress with its turnaround programme and key strategic priorities.

The visit provided an opportunity for Meatco’s leadership to take the Minister through progress being made across the business, with particular focus on year-to-date Group financial and operational performance, the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) Roadmap and the planned operationalisation of the Oshakati Abattoir.

Meatco Reports Improved Performance

Meatco reported a significant improvement in its year-to-date financial and operational performance.

Group revenue as of 31 July Midterm, reached N793.20 million representing an increase of 56% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and performance above budget. The Group recorded a gross profit of N$106 million, compared to a 2.27-million gross profit in prior year.

Slaughter throughput increased by approximately 55% year-on-year, supported by improved cattle procurement, stronger export market realisations, greater operational efficiencies and continued cost management. As of 31 July 2026, Meatco slaughtered over 34 000 cattle both from SVCF and NCA, compared to 24 405 in the prior year, during the same period.

The Minister was informed that while the results demonstrate encouraging progress in Meatco’s turnaround, management remains focused on strengthening cash generation, securing sustainable cattle supply and improving efficiencies across the Group.

NCA Roadmap and Communal Producer Market Access

The Minister also received an update on the implementation of Meatco’s NCA subsidiary’s Roadmap, which seeks to reposition the Corporation’s activities north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) around a more focused and sustainable operating model. This includes Oshakati, Rundu, Outapi and Eenhana Abattoirs.

The roadmap prioritises livestock procurement and aggregation, improved market access for communal producers, alignment of processing capacity with available livestock and the development of sustainable domestic and export routes to market.

The NCA remains an important part of Meatco’s national mandate, particularly in ensuring that communal livestock producers have access to reliable and competitive formal markets. According to 2023 livestock census, there are approximately 1-million cattle in the NCA of which 30% have slaughter-ready potential.

Oshakati Abattoir Operationalisation

The working visit further considered plans for the operationalisation of the Oshakati Abattoir as an important component of the NCA Roadmap.

Meatco’s approach is to ensure that operationalisation is supported by adequate livestock supply, sustainable throughput, appropriate processing capacity and clearly identified markets.

Interim Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Albertus Aochamub said Meatco’s focus is increasingly on translating the progress achieved through the turnaround into a sustainable business that delivers value to producers and the country.

“The progress we are seeing demonstrates that Meatco can recover and compete when we maintain commercial discipline, secure livestock supply and maximise the value of our market access. Our task now is to consolidate these gains while addressing the structural challenges that remain, particularly in the NCA,” Aochamub said.

He said the operationalisation of Oshakati should be viewed as part of a broader value-chain intervention rather than simply the reopening of another facility.

“Our objective is not merely to operate an abattoir. We need to build a functioning value chain that connects communal farmers to livestock aggregation, processing and sustainable markets. Ultimately, our success must be measured by whether we create better and more reliable market opportunities for our producers.”

Minister Zaamwani highlighted the purpose of her working visit by stating: “My team and I are visiting Meatco today to fast-track any outstanding operational matters requiring the Corporation’s and Ministry’s attention. We also want to strengthen coordination and ensure that agreed actions are implemented efficiently and without further delay for the benefit of the producers and the country.”