Okapuka Tannery drives leather exports

Meatco's Okapuka Tannery generated N$14.4 million in sales during the 2025/26 financial year while expanding exports into new African markets, according to the company's latest Integrated Annual Report.

The report says the tannery has become a key part of Meatco's value-addition strategy by processing locally sourced cattle hides into premium wet blue leather for regional and international markets.

The European Union-approved facility supplies ethically sourced, fully traceable leather to customers in the automotive, furniture and fashion industries. Meatco says the operation also supports Namibia's industrialisation drive through local beneficiation, export diversification and value-added agro-processing.

During the reporting period, the tannery maintained stable operations with a workforce of 19 employees and continued supplying established export markets in Italy, South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

One of the year's key developments was the first export of Namibian wet blue hides to Kenya and Zimbabwe under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), opening new opportunities for regional trade and strengthening Namibia's presence in the African leather market.

The tannery also maintained compliance with European Union veterinary export requirements and internationally recognised leather-processing standards, reinforcing its position as a supplier of premium Namibian leather.

According to the report, experienced technical staff and internationally recognised processing systems enabled the facility to maintain consistent production and quality standards throughout the year.

The tannery also forms part of Meatco's broader strategy to increase value within Namibia's livestock industry through beneficiation and product diversification. Rather than exporting raw hides, the operation processes them into export-grade leather, contributing to higher-value exports, foreign exchange earnings, industrial development and employment creation, the company said.

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 financial year, Meatco plans to consolidate its existing markets while pursuing further expansion across Africa, Europe and selected international destinations.

Its priorities include widening market access, improving operational efficiency to strengthen competitiveness, exploring additional value-added products such as finished leather and gelatine, and expanding sustainability initiatives to support long-term growth.

Meatco said the combination of an established export network, fully traceable livestock resources and growing international demand positions the Okapuka Tannery to play an increasingly important role in developing a globally competitive Namibian leather industry.