NPI expands to better output

The Namib Poultry Industry (NPI) is growing from strength to strength - despite the rising cost of feed prices and fluctuating commodity prices. “About 82% of our expenses are for feed,” Louis Kleynhans, the general manager at NPI, said. The company prides itself on the fact that its chickens are only fed a vegetarian diet, even though this has a cost implication. The rising prices of grain and maize further compound the challenges faced by NPI. Since 2016, the cost of feed has increased by a staggering N$196 million. However, thanks to its improved effectiveness in terms of feed turnover ratio, the company has managed to stay afloat. “Without this improvement, NPI would have faced the unfortunate possibility of closure,” he said. Expansion projectLast July, NPI embarked on an expansion project. It increased its factory capacity, enabling staff to work a double shift and slaughter 112 000 chickens per day, equating to 560 000 per week. “We have also acquired an automatic cut-up machine, which efficiently cuts each chicken into nine pieces. Additionally, the implementation of a smart packer and an 80-tonne carton freezer has significantly reduced freezing time to just 10 hours, compared to the previous 24 to 48 hours required in the blast freezer,” Kleynhans said during a site visit. In terms of storage, NPI has made substantial progress. The company added an extra holding room, increasing the storage capacity to 1 700 tonnes. This has eliminated the need to rent storage space elsewhere, saving on costs. However, despite these efforts, NPI currently still holds 2 500 tonnes, exceeding its target of 1 000 tonnes of stock on hand. “This surplus can be attributed to lower-than-expected sales, influenced by the presence of smuggled competing products from other countries.”Mortality Working with live animals, mortality is a factor and NPI has found ways to make sure dead chickens are discarded safely and properly. “Sometimes we do lose chickens during transport. Half of the dead chickens are transported in skips to Kupferberg to be dumped,” he said. He added that the other half is frozen and transported to the crocodile farm in Otjiwarongo. “Waste products like heads, feet and feathers are grinded to make flour,” he said, adding that the flour is exported to Zambia to make dog food. “We do not feed this to our chickens,” he explained. NPI does not believe in cannibalism, and will never feed chicken waste to chickens, he added.“It is not against the law and is practiced worldwide, but we decided against it - despite the cost implication.” They do not even feed their chicken fishmeal, Kleynhans highlighted. Halal certifiedDuring slaughtering, chickens are hung from their feet and go through a water bath stunner to help calm them down. “With one cut to the throat, chickens bleed out within 90 seconds, also making the chickens Halal certified,” Kleynhans said.

NPI expands to better output

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Republikein 2025-06-20

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NPI expands to better output

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