Meatco increases slaughter throughput by 55%

State-owned Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) realised a N$793.20 million midterm revenue as at 31 July, representing an increase of 56% compared to the corresponding period the previous year.

This was announced by the parastatal in a statement following a visit to the Windhoek facility by the minister of agriculture, fisheries and land reform, Inge Zaamwani last week.

“This performance is above budget, and the group recorded a gross profit of N$106 million compared to N$2.27 million gross profit in the prior year,” says Meatco, giving the minister a detailed briefing on its performance, progress with its turnaround programme and key strategic priorities.

Meatco says 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 at 31 July 2026, Meatco slaughtered more than 34 000 cattle south of the veterinary cordon fence and from the northern communal areas (NCA’s), compared to 24 405 during the same period of the previous year,” says Meatco.

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

She was also updated on the implementation of Meatco’s NCA subsidiary’s roadmap, which seeks to reposition the corporation’s activities in the NCA around a more focused and sustainable operating model.

According to Meatco, this includes Oshakati, Rundu, Outapi and Eenhana abattoirs with the roadmap prioritising 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 communal livestock producers have access to reliable and competitive formal markets,” says Meatco, adding that according to a 2023 livestock census, there are approximately one million cattle in the NCA of which 30% have slaughter-ready potential.

Meatco says its plan is to operationalise the Oshakati abattoir as an important component of the NCA Roadmap and ensure this is supported by adequate livestock supply, sustainable throughput, appropriate processing capacity and clearly identified markets.

The interim chief executive Albertus Aochamub says Meatco’s focus is turning the progress achieved 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 remaining structural challenges, particularly in the NCA,” Aochamub says.

He says the Oshakati abattoir 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 but 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,” he says.

Highlighting the purpose of her visit, Zaamwani says: “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,” she says.

– matthew@namibian.com.na

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