Business Reporter
THE Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, has said that the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has remained profitable despite operating in one of the most difficult operating periods for Namibia’s livestock industry in recent years.
The Minister made these remarks at the Annual General Meeting of Meatco (AGM), which was held on 31 July 2026, in which she outlined that successive droughts and the rebuilding of the national cattle herd resulted in significantly lower cattle availability, with throughput south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) declining by 53%, from 75,268 cattle in the previous financial year to 35,594 cattle during the year under review.
“Inevitably, lower throughput translated into lower revenue, which declined from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion. Those figures tell one part of the story. The other part is that despite processing less than half the previous year’s slaughter volumes, Meatco remained profitable, strengthened its financial position, increased cash reserves from N$86.2 million to N$128.3 million and reduced accumulated losses by more than N$40 million. The audited financial statements before us demonstrate that Meatco has remained resilient during one of the most challenging periods for Namibia’s livestock industry in recent years,” Zaamwani said.
She added that Meatco’s performance cannot be viewed in isolation.
“It reflects the realities facing the broader livestock sector, which remains one of Namibia’s most important productive industries. The sector contributes approximately 3.5% of Namibia’s Gross Domestic Product, generates more than N$2 billion in foreign exchange earnings annually and supports over 45,000 direct jobs, while sustaining thousands of communal and commercial farming households across our country,” Zaamwani said.
She stressed that Namibia’s greatest competitive advantage lies not only in the quality of its beef but in the integrity of the systems that stand behind it.
“Our animal health standards. Our traceability systems. Our veterinary services. And above all, the commitment of our producers. These strengths have enabled Namibia to earn access to some of the world’s most demanding premium markets. I wish to congratulate Meatco, our producers and the Directorate of Veterinary Services for the successful fulfilment of Namibia’s Norwegian beef quota. This achievement reflects international confidence in Namibia’s production systems and in the quality of our beef. I am also pleased to note that Namibia continues to maintain access to the European Union market, one of our most important export destinations. This achievement reflects collective commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal health, traceability, food safety and quality assurance,” Zaamwani lauded.
The Minister added that Government welcomes the continued efforts to regain access to the United States market, restore exports to China, and expand Namibia’s footprint across Africa through the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Diversified markets create diversified opportunities. They reduce risk. They strengthen producer confidence. And they position Namibia’s livestock industry for long-term, sustainable growth,” Zaamwani stressed.
She further added that Foot-and-Mouth Disease is not Meatco’s fight alone; it is Namibia’s fight.
“That message remains as relevant today as it was then. Our animal health status is one of Namibia’s greatest strategic assets. It is the foundation upon which our export industry is built and the reason why Namibian beef continues to command the confidence of some of the world’s most discerning markets. Protecting that status is therefore not only a veterinary responsibility. It is an economic imperative. Government commends the close cooperation between the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Meatco, producer organisations, communal and commercial farmers, regional authorities and all stakeholders who continue to safeguard Namibia’s animal health system. This partnership has reinforced an important truth: when Government and industry work together, we protect markets, strengthen producer confidence and secure livelihoods,” Zaamwani said.
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform
