Namibia’s Meatco Plans to Slaughter 75,000 Cattle in FY2025 Amid Strategic Shift and Leadership Changes
WINDHOEK – The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has announced plans to slaughter 75,000 cattle during the financial year ending January 2026, as part of a renewed strategy to strengthen its supply chain and boost production capacity.
According to the company, over 25,000 cattle have already been slaughtered to date, sourced from both the southern regions of the country and areas north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF). The update was delivered during a farmers’ seminar held last week on the sidelines of the Annual Okakarara Trade Fair.
The seminar brought together dozens of communal producers and stakeholders from across Namibia’s livestock sector, offering a platform for dialogue on industry trends, supply dynamics, and producer partnerships. Meatco officials emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusive growth and its ongoing efforts to integrate communal farmers into the formal livestock economy.
Highest Procurement from Communal Farmers to Date
As part of its 2025 operational strategy, Meatco has pledged to procure 8,000 cattle from communal farmers … the highest number the company has ever targeted from this group. The move is seen as a significant step in fostering equitable participation in Namibia’s meat value chain.
“This year’s procurement plan reflects our dedication to deepening engagement with communal producers, who play a critical role in sustaining the national herd,” a Meatco spokesperson said during the event.
The expanded sourcing strategy follows a strong performance in 2023, during which Meatco slaughtered 60,820 cattle, surpassing its initial target of 50,000. That year, the company paid out approximately US$50 million (N$946 million) to livestock producers — a figure highlighting the meat processor’s central role in Namibia’s agricultural economy.
Of the total slaughtered in 2023, 5,056 animals were sourced from north of the VCF, a region often challenged by market access constraints due to animal health regulations and trade restrictions.
Leadership Transition at a Critical Juncture
The announcement of Meatco’s new production targets comes shortly after changes at the company’s executive level. Former Namibian ambassador, Aochamub, was recently appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer. His six-month tenure took immediate effect following a nomination by shareholders and formal approval by the board of directors.
Aochamub succeeds a short-term acting CEO, marking the second leadership change in recent months. The board has expressed confidence that his background in governance, economic diplomacy, and institutional reform will help reposition Meatco amid growing pressure to remain competitive in both domestic and export markets.
“We are at a crucial turning point,” said a board representative. “Mr. Aochamub’s appointment is part of our broader vision to stabilize leadership and accelerate strategic reforms within the organization.”
Focus on Market Expansion and Value Chain Strengthening
In the wake of the leadership transition, Meatco has reaffirmed its dual focus: reinforcing domestic supply chains and expanding its export footprint. The company currently exports to several key markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa, with the potential for further expansion into emerging regional trade blocs.
Officials note that while global demand for high-quality, traceable beef remains strong, Namibia must continue addressing challenges around climate variability, herd recovery, and infrastructure investment.
“Expanding export access is important, but so is ensuring that Namibian producers … particularly communal farmers … benefit from these opportunities,” the spokesperson added.
As Namibia navigates a complex landscape of food security, climate impacts, and shifting trade dynamics, Meatco’s 2025 operational strategy will be closely watched by industry observers. With a record-high slaughter target, increased communal farmer inclusion, and new leadership at the helm, the company appears poised for a pivotal year.
Whether the ambitious target of 75,000 slaughtered cattle can be achieved will depend not only on logistical execution but also on maintaining strong relationships across the supply chain … from smallholder producers to international buyers.
