Meat Corporation of Namibia — state-owned livestock processor operating abattoirs across Namibia, currently pursuing turnaround strategy amid cattle shortage and leadership fraud allegations.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia handed over operations to Zamco in June
“The payment concerns come as the Katima Mulilo abattoir remains closed after the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) handed its operations to Zamco in June.”
Zambezi farmers left waiting for cattle paymentsThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) stopped operating the Katima Mulilo abattoir in June
“Livestock farmers in the Zambezi region say they are facing financial hardships since the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) stopped operating the Katima Mulilo abattoir in June.”
Zambezi farmers want Meatco backThe Namibian
Meatco handed over operations to the Zambezi Meat Cooperation (ZamCo) in June
“Meatco, which has been operating the Katima Mulilo abattoir since 2021, has handed over the operations to the Zambezi Meat Cooperation (ZamCo) in June after concluding their five-year management agreement.”
Zambezi farmers want Meatco backInformanté
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has accused former CEO Patrick Liebenberg of delaying a civil lawsuit
“THE Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has accused its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patrick Liebenberg, of delaying a civil lawsuit in which it is demanding that Liebenberg pay back an amount of N$7.5 million, which it claims Liebenberg misappropriated via fictitious cattle sales and other dubious transactions.”
Meatco accuses former fraud accused CEO Liebenberg of delay tactics in civil lawsuitThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia secured additional Norwegian beef export quota of 344,766kg
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia has secured an additional Norwegian beef export quota of 344 766kg after fully using its initial 2026 allocation by the end of June, five months earlier than last year.”
Meatco secures additional Norwegian beef quotaWindhoek Observer
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) secured an additional allocation of beef export quota to Norway after fully utilising its 2026 allocation by end of June
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has secured an additional allocation of beef export quota to Norway after fully utilising its 2026 allocation by the end of June, several months earlier than last year.”
Meatco secures additional Norwegian beef quotaThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia lost about N$757 million in revenue during 2025/26 financial year
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) lost about N$757 million in revenue during the 2025/26 financial year.”
Cattle shortage cuts Meatco’s revenue by N$757mInformanté
Meat Corporation of Namibia completed Namibia's 2026 Norwegian beef export quota by June 2026
“During the briefing, the Prime Minister noted encouraging progress in Meatco's recovery, including the successful completion of Namibia's 2026 Norwegian beef export quota by June 2026, the Corporation's return to profitability, improving financial performance and strong livestock procurement during the current financial year.”
Prime Minister expresses strong support for Meatco’s recovery and growth strategyInformanté
Meatco had procured approximately 29,000 cattle by mid-July 2026
“By mid-July 2026, Meatco had procured approximately 29,000 cattle towards its target of 50,000 cattle by February 2027, placing the Corporation well ahead of the corresponding period in the previous financial year.”
Prime Minister expresses strong support for Meatco’s recovery and growth strategyNamibian Sun
Meat Corporation of Namibia is owed N$300 000 by a Ghanaian businessman in a beef deal
“A Ghanaian businessman who helped open the West African market to beef from Namibia's northern communal areas (NCAs) still owes the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) N$300 000”
Ghanaian businessman owes Meatco N$300 000 in beef dealThe Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has appointed Vehaka Tjimune as its new chief executive. Tjimune brings more than 37 years' experience in agriculture and food sectors across government, private sector, and international development institutions, and most recently served as senior policy adviser for agriculture and land at GIZ.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has appointed Vehaka Tjimune as its new chief executive. Tjimune brings more than 37 years' experience in agriculture and food sectors across government, private sector, and international development institutions, and most recently served as senior policy adviser for agriculture and land at GIZ.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Livestock farmers in Zambezi region say the Zambezi Meat Corporation has collected 770 head of cattle since June but failed to pay for them, despite promising payment within four to seven days. The payment delays follow Meatco's handover of Katima Mulilo abattoir operations to Zamco in June, and farmers report lack of communication about the transition.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Livestock farmers in the Zambezi region staged a demonstration calling for government intervention after Meatco handed over management of the Katima Mulilo abattoir to Zambezi Meat Cooperation in June; the abattoir has remained closed pending regulatory and operational requirements, leaving farmers without a formal market.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco is pursuing a civil lawsuit against former CEO Patrick Liebenberg, demanding repayment of N$7.5 million allegedly misappropriated through fictitious cattle sales and other transactions between 2024 and 2025. Liebenberg has filed an irregular exception application arguing the claim documents are defective and vague, which Meatco opposes as filed late.
6 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Agriculture Minister said Meatco remained profitable despite droughts and low cattle availability, with throughput south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence declining by 53% to 35,594 cattle. Revenue fell from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion, but the company strengthened its financial position, increased cash reserves, and reduced accumulated losses.
3 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia fully used its 2026 Norwegian beef export quota by the end of June and secured an additional 344,766kg through a government-to-government arrangement with Botswana under the Sacu-Efta quota-sharing framework, expected to generate approximately N$100 million. Combined with the original allocation's estimated N$265 million, Meatco's Norwegian beef exports for 2026 are valued at approximately N$365 million.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco has secured an additional 344,766-kilogram beef export quota to Norway through a quota-sharing arrangement with Botswana under the SACU-EFTA framework, after exhausting its initial 2026 allocation by end of June. The additional allocation is projected to generate N$100 million in export earnings, potentially bringing Meatco's total Norwegian exports for 2026 to N$365 million.
30 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Meatco's revenue fell from N$1.865 billion to N$1.108 billion in the 2025/26 financial year due to a cattle shortage that reduced slaughter numbers by 53%, though the corporation remained profitable with N$40.5 million after-tax profit.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare expressed strong support for Meatco's recovery and growth strategy during a visit to the corporation's Windhoek Abattoir, reaffirming government commitment to strengthening Namibia's livestock industry and expanding value addition. The Prime Minister noted encouraging progress, including completion of Namibia's 2026 Norwegian beef export quota by June 2026, return to profitability, and livestock procurement of approximately 29,000 cattle by mid-July 2026 toward a target of 50,000 by February 2027.
23 July 2026 · Informanté →
A Ghanaian businessman who helped open the West African market to beef from Namibia's northern communal areas still owes the Meat Corporation of Namibia N$300,000.
17 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
PDM Member of Parliament Inna Hengari has raised concerns about the implementation and accountability of the Northern Communal Areas Price Equalisation Fund for farmers, calling for clear timelines, oversight mechanisms and structural safeguards. She submitted formal questions to the minister of agriculture on Wednesday regarding long-standing inequalities affecting northern farmers, including lower cattle prices and limited market access.
2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says the government will operationalise the NCA Price Equalisation Fund, a N$100 million fund approved by Cabinet in 2024 that aims to ensure farmers in northern communal areas receive the same cattle prices as farmers south of the veterinary cordon fence. The fund was available last year but was not implemented due to disagreements between institutions, which have now been resolved.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
George Haufiku of Harambee Communal Auctioneers has called for Meatco to participate as a buyer in animal auctions in northern communal areas, arguing that the state-owned entity's absence limits competition and keeps farmers' prices non-competitive. Haufiku notes that Meatco currently buys directly from individual farmers rather than at auctions, and that it operates abattoirs in Rundu, Eenhana, Katima Mulilo and Outapi.
12 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco has revised its claim that former Chief Executive Officer Patrick Liebenberg misappropriated funds, increasing the alleged amount from N$6.1 million to N$7.5 million after uncovering additional irregular transactions. The revised claim details approximately 11 irregular transactions including cattle sales recorded as imaginary transactions and inflated transactions where the surplus allegedly went to Liebenberg's pockets.
11 June 2026 · Informanté →
Meatco and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union have finalised wage negotiations, with employees receiving a 5% salary increase and N$200 monthly housing allowance rise in 2026/2027, followed by a 6.5% salary increase in 2027/2028 with no changes to housing or cold allowances.
26 May 2026 · Informanté →
Meatco is increasing its civil claim against former executive Patrick Liebenberg from N$6.1 million to more than N$7.5 million, accusing him of fraud, theft and misappropriation of company funds through livestock procurement transactions between 2024 and 2025.
22 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has placed Linden Beef Close Corporation under final liquidation after the company failed to appear at a winding-up hearing. The company owes Bank Windhoek approximately N$28.4 million in debts from loan and credit facility agreements entered into between 2022 and 2024.
19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia is scaling down operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir following the expiry of its agreement with Zambezi Meat Corporation, creating uncertainty among farmers in the region about cattle sales and livestock sector stability. Farmers express concern about market continuity and warn that legal disputes during the handover could disrupt operations.
11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Farm Eendrag, discovered to host a N$52-million cannabis plantation last May, has been auctioned for N$44.5 million in a 10-day bidding process. The farm, which was also linked to the disappearance of N$7 million in cattle owned by the Meat Corporation of Namibia, is under liquidation with its final bid subject to liquidator approval within 72 hours.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco will progressively reduce operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir following the expiry of its agreement with Zambezi Meat Corporation, with a transitional exit plan running from 16 April to 30 June 2026. The transition includes inventory verification, halting cattle procurement, and reducing stock levels as part of Meatco's broader turnaround strategy.
6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia exported 45.2% of its Norway beef quota (521 017.59kg of 1.1 million kg) by 17 April, the company's strongest start to the year in recent memory. The faster uptake is attributed to strong demand in the Norwegian market and improved planning and commercial execution at Meatco.
22 April 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia should adopt threshold-based export controls and minimum value-retention standards for livestock, mirroring the Namibia Agronomic Board's successful approach to protecting domestic horticulture. The author contends that processing cattle domestically would retain jobs, foreign exchange, and economic value rather than exporting live animals unprocessed.
18 April 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia should adopt value-retention policies for the livestock sector, similar to its successful Namibia Agronomic Board approach for horticulture, to encourage domestic processing and capture more economic value rather than exporting unprocessed cattle. The author proposes threshold-based export controls, minimum weight restrictions for exported animals, and export levies to fund local industry development.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
The agriculture ministry created a price equalisation fund approved by Cabinet in 2024 to help livestock producers north of the veterinary cordon fence, but the Namibia National Farmers Union says implementation has stalled. A ministry spokesperson confirmed a misunderstanding between finance and agriculture ministries diverted initial funding, though N$50 million has been allocated in the 2026/27 budget.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Savanna Beef has received an export abattoir certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture, enabling it to export deboned chilled and frozen beef cuts to the UK, EU, and EFTA countries. The company aims to slaughter 50,000 cattle locally each year that would otherwise be exported as weaners to South African feedlots, aligning with Namibia's "Growth at Home" vision and creating around 240 jobs when at full operation.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco held talks with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to explore investment and financing opportunities for strengthening Namibia's beef exports and food security. The parastatal presented three priority projects: reviving a small stock abattoir, extending tannery operations for local beneficiation, and reactivating cannery operations with modernised technology.
13 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Growing live cattle exports to Mauritius are diverting slaughter-ready animals from Namibia's value-added export chains to premium markets like Norway, the EU, and the US, risking underutilisation of domestic abattoirs and export quotas. The Meat Corporation of Namibia's interim CEO argues that while live exports offer farmers immediate payment and market diversification, unchecked large-scale exports could erode Namibia's reputation as a premium supplier and proposes a calibrated levy and better coordination between government, producers, and processors to balance immediate returns with long-term national value.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
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.
31 March 2026 · New Era →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia has enrolled 19 interns from various training institutions in a six-month workplace programme running from October 2025 to March 2026, part of the government's National Development Plan 6 and internship initiative to build youth skills in the livestock and meat industry.
17 March 2026 · New Era →