When a processing company sets a target as bold as 75,000 cattle for a single financial year it changes the conversation in farming communities. For Meat Corporation of Namibia, known as Meatco, that number is a signal: more animals moving from field to market, more income reaching producers, and more beef under Namibian labels on local and regional shelves. The company announced the target at a farmers seminar held alongside the Annual Okakarara Trade Fair, and it has already moved quickly on the plan, having slaughtered more than 25,000 animals so far from both south and north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
This year’s target is not just a headline figure. It reflects a deliberate strategy to strengthen procurement from communal areas and to stabilise supply into both local and export channels. Meatco has committed to purchasing 8,000 cattle from communal farmers during the year, the highest volume it has targeted from that group. That commitment matters because many of Namibia’s rural households depend on cattle sales as a lifeline. By offering a dependable buyer, Meatco is injecting predictability into income streams that can be seasonal and uncertain.
A quick look back helps frame the ambition. In 2023 Meatco slaughtered 60,820 cattle, surpassing its earlier target of 50,000. The 2023 annual figures also show the scale of payments flowing into the sector: producers received roughly US$50 million for livestock that year. Those sums are a reminder that when processing capacity and market access expand, money reaches farm gates and rural communities gain new cash flow.
Why the focus on communal farmers now? First, communal agriculture represents a deep well of potential cattle supply. Second, sourcing more animals from communal producers spreads economic benefits more widely. Meatco plans to use multiple procurement routes including auctions, permit days and on-farm purchases so producers can choose options that fit their circumstances. The practical details matter because farmers who raise stock in communal areas often face transport, weight and timing constraints. By adapting to those realities, Meatco can unlock volumes while supporting livelihoods.
The timing of the announcement coincides with leadership changes at the company. Former Namibian ambassador to France Albertus Aochamub has been appointed interim chief executive officer for six months. The board says his experience in governance, economic diplomacy and value chain management will be useful as Meatco seeks to shore up domestic supply and grow exports. Leadership stability and a clear strategic direction will be important if the slaughter and procurement targets are to be met.
What does this mean for prices and producers? Meatco has been active in managing pricing and backgrounding strategies to ensure animals meet weight and quality standards. The company’s approach includes buying steers at set weight thresholds and working with farmer unions and small feedlot initiatives to improve the readiness of animals for slaughter. For producers this can translate into better per head returns and stronger bargaining positions across the market chain.
There are also supply chain implications. A higher slaughter volume requires reliable logistics, cold chain capacity, and stable processing schedules. If Meatco hits 75,000 cattle, processors and packers will need to coordinate more closely with transporters and retailers. For consumers the upside is clear: a stronger local supply of beef reduces pressure on imports and can help keep domestic prices more stable over time.
Beyond immediate market mechanics the target carries social and development dimensions. When a processor actively buys more from communal areas it creates ripple effects: transporters, animal handlers, feed suppliers and informal traders all see increased demand. That multiplier effect can be particularly powerful in rural districts where few formal employment options exist. In short, this is about meat and markets, and also about reshaping rural economies to include more farm families in formal value chains.
What to watch next. First, will the procurement promise to buy 8,000 communal cattle translate into timely deliveries and payments at the farm gate? Second, can Meatco keep animals flowing north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, where transport and permitting can be more complicated? Third, how quickly will the interim leadership be able to stabilise operations and move the company toward its slaughter and market expansion goals? Answers to these questions will determine whether the target becomes a catalyst for growth or a missed opportunity.
For communal farmers, the message is immediate and pragmatic. Opportunities exist to supply a major buyer, and the company appears to be building the mechanisms to make that possible. For Meatco, success means stronger procurement, deeper market reach and the ability to cushion Namibia against external supply shocks. For the national economy, it means more value retained within the country and a healthier balance between local production and imports.
In the end the 75,000 figure is more than arithmetic. It is a statement of intent about inclusivity in procurement, of ambition for the Namibian beef industry, and of the real money that can flow to producers when processors commit to working with them. If the company and its partners follow through, small herds in remote villages could become steady sources of income, and Namibian beef could be grown, processed and marketed in ways that lift livelihoods across the value chain.
Quick facts at a glance
- Target for the financial year ending January 2026: budgeted to slaughter 75,000 cattle.
- Cattle already slaughtered to date: more than 25,000 from both south and north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
- Communal procurement commitment: about 8,000 cattle, the highest ever targeted from this group.
- 2023 slaughter total: 60,820 cattle. Producers were paid around US$50 million that year.
- Interim CEO: Albertus Aochamub appointed for six months to provide leadership and direction.
If Meatco follows through on delivery, the coming year could be a turning point. Increased slaughter capacity, deeper engagement with communal producers and clearer market channels all point to a future where more Namibian cattle feed local plates and regional markets, and where the rewards of those animals return to the families that raised them.
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