Mariental abattoir builds on success

The Mariental abattoir – formerly known as the Farmers' Meat Market – expects to market 280 000 sheep by 2025, with several export markets coming into play this year. The abattoir closed in August 2020 due to low sheep availability, but was then officially taken over by Ohlthaver & List through the Hartlief Group. Operations resumed in October 2020. According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the abattoir undertook its first trial run for export to Norway on 31 August last year. "In November 2022, the abattoir received its recertification for export and slaughtered the first lambs. In January, the first shipment of lamb was on its way to Norway." The expected marketing number for this year is 50 000, of which the Norwegian quota alone makes up 40 000 lambs. Next year, sheep marketing at the abattoir is expected to increase to a whopping 170 000. ExpandingBy the end of January, the abattoir had already processed payments of N$10.9 million, excluding VAT, to 46 producers (on 30-day terms), with an average price of N$91.60 per kilogramme. A total of 6 615 sheep were slaughtered, of which 48% were export lambs. "However, it must be taken into account that 18% of the total animals were test-slaughtered before the abattoir received its export certification," the NAU said. This means that 3 192 export carcasses made up 60% of certification. The total number of sheep slaughtered by the end of January (6 615) was made up of 68% Dorper, 32% MeatMaster and 15 fat tails.According to the NAU, the abattoir currently employs 82 people and plans to expand to 100 employees this year. "The plans for the abattoir going forward involve delivering 400 tonnes of bone-out quota to Norway in 2023. Bone-out exports to Bermuda and the European Union (EU) will also start in 2023. The China bone-in market will hopefully realise by the end of 2023." Furthermore, Middle East bone-in markets such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will kick off by the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024, while Singapore is also being investigated as a possible market.Not without challenges"This path has not been and will certainly not be without challenges. New EU legislation requiring livestock producers who deliver animals to an EU-approved abattoir to receive a visit from a state veterinarian once a year has ruffled some feathers," the union said. However, it added that with efforts by the directorate of veterinary services (DVS) in the Hardap Region as well as excellent service by staff at the abattoir, this requirement has been met and the process is now starting to run more smoothly.According to NAU, for producers to qualify at the abattoir for export, they must have DVS certificates regarding farm inspection and negative results for Brucella melitensis, as well as movement permits and ear tags, and they must disinfect their transport vehicles.

Mariental abattoir builds on success

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