Farmers Meat aims for full production by 2025

A sheep export abattoir at Mariental - which has been taken over by Ohlthaver & List (O&L) through Hartlief - was officially relaunched last week.

Renamed Farmers Meat Namibia, the facility plans to process 55 000 sheep this year.

Speaking at the relaunch event, O&L Group CEO Wessie van der Westhuizen said Farmers Meat resumed commercial operation in October 2022 after a two-year closure caused by the devastating drought in the country.

Looking ahead to 2024, they aim to handle between 100 000 and 170 000 sheep, which will require further investment, he said.

By 2025, they envision reaching full production capacity, processing 280 000 sheep.

“This will necessitate additional investments - which we are only too willing to make. Hence, the abattoir will be temporarily shut down from 7 August until 4 September to allow for significant maintenance, improvements, upgrades and investment to the plant.”

These plans demonstrate their unwavering dedication to the growth and prosperity of the Namibian meat industry, he added.

Remarkable impact

According to Van der Westhuizen, the reopening of the abattoir has already made a remarkable impact on the industry.

“As the biggest sheep abattoir operation in Namibia and the only approved exporter of sheep meat in the country, we have paid over N$75 million to sheep producers between October 2022 and June 2023. This showcases our commitment to supporting local farmers and fostering economic development within our communities.”

Furthermore, through Farmers Meat, the exceptional quality of Namibian lamb is showcased and enjoyed on an international scale, he said.

“We have already begun exporting deboned lamb to Norway and the Seychelles, and we are on the verge of exporting our first consignment to Germany and Bermuda.”

However, to sustain this infrastructure, plans to export to China, the Middle East and the United States of America need to be expedited by government, Van der Westhuizen said.

“Obtaining export status opens the doors to lucrative international markets, the SADC region and the wider African market, presenting tremendous growth opportunities for our business and Namibia as a whole.”

Positive development

Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said the re-opening of the abattoir and processing facility is a positive development in the Namibian sheep and small stock sector.

“This facility is pivotal to unlocking economic opportunities for small stock farmers in this region and beyond. It is a catalytic investment in the small stock value chain, with positive multiplier effects across the entire value chain.”

He added that government is at an advanced stage to finalise the sheep and goat meat market access agreement with China.

“When finalised, this will open up a significant market for Namibian sheep and goat meat products, thus creating opportunity for increased domestic productive capacity by producers.”

Schlettwein said the production of finished goods at Farmers Meat will replace exports of sheep on the hoof and imports of finished lamb and mutton cuts, taking in production of small stock by farmers and making ready-for-consumptions goods available to the domestic market.

“This creates more employment opportunities, increases income distribution and improves the balance of payments and the generation of additional government revenue. It has improved the quality of economic growth and created new economic opportunities in the town of Mariental and the regions of Hardap and Karas,” the minister said.

Paving the way

Meanwhile, according to Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) executive manager Roelie Venter, although Farmers Meat is still in its infancy, much more is still to come as alternative lucrative markets are explored, paving the way for a more sustainable sheep industry.

“We, however, need to constantly remind ourselves that the livestock sector is the mainstay of the rural areas of Namibia. The livestock sector is helping to create employment and build local businesses in Namibia.

“We need to remind ourselves that Namibian consumers can only absorb 30% of what we are producing.”

He said Namibia is therefore lucky that it is reliant on export markets, both within southern Africa and global markets.

Stakeholders need to be cognisant that the Namibian sheep industry stands on three legs, Venter said.

“The first leg caters for our local consumption. Secondly, there are the markets in our neighbouring countries which gladly want to procure our products, and thirdly, the export of premium lamb to high-value international markets.”

To achieve fair market price for Namibian primary producers, it is essential that all three value chains compete fairly in the market, he said.

“As a country, we need to increase profitability of sheep production in the south, because that will create more employment opportunities in rural communities. That will support local input supply businesses in Mariental and dacross the rural areas. And that will curb urbanisation.”

Hardap Region governor Salomon April said the abattoir’s capital injection has not only brought economic prosperity to the region, but has also created much-needed employment opportunities for residents.

“We commend their vision and foresight in recognising the potential of our region and their dedication to contributing to its growth.”