Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
September 2026
Windhoek Observer
Meatco managing director Albertus !AochamubsaidMeatco was not yet in position to assess full impact of outbreak
Source
“Meanwhile, Meatco managing director Albertus !Aochamub said the corporation was not yet in a position to assess the full impact of the outbreak on its operations or the livestock industry.”
Albertus !AochamubsaidNamibia is moving decisively into the premium segment where value defines success
Source
“"This is more than a processing milestone. It is a statement of intent. Namibia is not just participating in global beef markets. We are moving decisively into the premium segment where value, not volume, defines success," said Meatco's interim CEO Albertus !Aochamub.”
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) interim CEO, Albertus !Aochamub, and his management team recently held a strategic engagement with the leadership of the Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO), where key issues of mutual interest were discussed.”
Albertus !AochamubemphasizedMeatco's dedication to transparency, collaboration, and operational synergy
Source
“During the gathering, !Aochamub highlighted the LPO's longstanding role as an influential stakeholder in Namibia's red meat sector and emphasised Meatco's dedication to transparency, collaboration, and operational synergy.”
Meatco's interim CEO Albertus !Aochamubsaidresults demonstrate fundamental shift in Meatco governance, management and accountability
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“"The results we are presenting reflect more than an improvement in numbers. They demonstrate a fundamental shift in how Meatco is governed, managed and held accountable.”
Albertus !Aochamubsaysdelayed payments are affecting producers' operations and confidence
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“Meatco chief executive Albertus !Aochamub says the delayed payments are not the company's responsibility but are affecting producers who rely on timely settlements to sustain their operations.”
Albertus !Aochamubsaysoutstanding funds relate to livestock procured by government
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“He says the outstanding funds relate to livestock procured by the government as part of drought relief efforts and stressed that the money belongs to the producers, not Meatco.”
Foot-and-Mouth Disease has been confirmed in Namibia's FMD-free zone after 10 of 11 cattle samples from Karasburg tested positive, prompting the government to suspend all cloven-hoofed animal movement and trade. The Namibia Agricultural Union is preparing to call for a state of emergency, while activist Job Amupanda warns against meat movement from the FMD-affected south to the north and questions whether the outbreak should reinforce the veterinary cordon fence.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease has been confirmed in Namibia's FMD-free zone after 10 of 11 cattle samples from Karasburg tested positive, prompting the government to suspend all cloven-hoofed animal movement and trade. The Namibia Agricultural Union is preparing to call for a state of emergency, while activist Job Amupanda warns against meat movement from the FMD-affected south to the north and questions whether the outbreak should reinforce the veterinary cordon fence.
Meatco has begun slaughtering and processing Wagyu cattle at its facilities, strengthening Namibia's position in premium global beef markets. The company is also in talks with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to finance turnaround projects including revival of small stock and cannery operations.
An opinion piece argues that while live cattle exports to Mauritius offer farmers immediate income, exporting slaughter-ready animals at scale risks undermining Namibia's premium beef brand and underutilising domestic abattoirs. The author calls for a calibrated policy framework, possibly including a levy on live exports, to ensure that value is retained in the domestic supply chain while permitting measured market diversification.
Meatco's interim CEO met with the Livestock Producers Organisation to discuss strengthening transparency, communication, and partnership across Namibia's red meat value chain. The engagement emphasised rebuilding trust between processors and cattle producers to improve sector performance and maintain global competitiveness.
Meatco's annual general meeting on Friday will present audited financial results for the year ended 31 January 2025, showing revenue of almost N$1.9 billion (up from N$1.203 billion) and an operating profit of approximately N$106 million, reversing five consecutive years of losses. The company's recovery is underpinned by a Board-approved turnaround plan focused on financial stability, governance, market development, operational efficiency, and producer prices.
The Ministry of Agriculture says Namibia's animal health systems are prepared to respond to foot-and-mouth disease risks from neighbouring countries experiencing outbreaks, and has implemented preventive measures including veterinary controls at ports of entry and a ban on meat and dairy imports from South Africa since September.
The government has settled close to N$30 million owed to farmers who supplied livestock and meat products during the 2024/25 Drought Relief Programme, with Meatco's interim CEO describing the move as a confidence-building measure for the red meat value chain and part of efforts to restore trust with producers and stakeholders.
Namibia's N$8-billion annual red meat industry faces serious risk from foot-and-mouth disease spreading from South Africa, prompting authorities to implement biosecurity measures including vehicle disinfection at borders and a ban on South African meat, dairy, and live animals. Industry leaders warn that an outbreak would devastate exports to key markets including the EU, China, and the United States, causing farmer bankruptcies and widespread job losses.
Meatco says the Office of the Prime Minister still owes N$28.1 million to producers who supplied livestock under last year's broad-based support programme. The delayed payments are affecting producers who depend on timely settlements, and the outstanding funds relate to livestock procured by the government for drought relief efforts.
The Meat Corporation of Namibia says the Office of the Prime Minister owes N$28.1 million to livestock producers who supplied animals under last year's drought relief programme, with the delays affecting producers' confidence in timely settlement. Meatco also reports that a Cabinet-approved N$100 million Equalisation Fund to narrow price gaps for communal and commercial farmers has not yet been allocated to the company to administer.