Meat Corporation of Namibia — state-owned beef processor and exporter slaughtering cattle for domestic and international markets, currently managing operational challenges including fraud allegations and staff misappropriations.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia welcomed Savanna Beef's certification as export-approved beef establishment
“In a statement on Friday, the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) welcomed Savanna Beef's certification as an export-approved beef establishment.”
Savanna Beef primed for export slaughter at full throttleThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) held high-level talks with Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa president to explore investment and financing opportunities
“Meatco last Wednesday held high-level talks with Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea) president Abdullah al-Musaibeeh to explore potential investment and financing opportunities aimed at strengthening Namibia's beef value chain and export capacity.”
Meatco seeks Arab bank investment boostThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has faced severe financial challenges including consecutive losses, high debt, reduced slaughter volumes, and state bailout reliance
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has faced severe financial challenges over the past four years, including consecutive losses, high debt levels, reduced slaughter volumes, and reliance on state bailouts.”
Meatco seeks Arab bank investment boostThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia is affected by reduced slaughter volumes and underutilised abattoirs from live cattle exports
“When slaughter-ready cattle are exported live at scale, they are effectively removed from the domestic value chain. The impact is immediate and measurable: reduced slaughter volumes, underutilised abattoirs, and increasing difficulty in meeting export quotas.”
Namibia’s Beef Crossroads: Ship Live or Build Value?New Era
Meatco is affected by reduced slaughter volumes from live cattle exports
“When slaughter-ready cattle are exported live at scale, they are effectively removed from the domestic value chain. The impact is immediate and measurable: reduced slaughter volumes, underutilised abattoirs, and increasing difficulty in meeting export quotas. And let us be clear, those quotas matter. They are not simply commercial opportunities; they are strategic footholds in some of the world's most lucrative markets. Failing to fully utilise them does not just affect Meatco or processors; it weakens Namibia's long-term credibility as a reliable supplier.”
Opinion – Namibia’s beef crossroads: Ship live or build value?New Era
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) held a strategic engagement with the Livestock Producers Organisation leadership
“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.”
Meatco holds strategic talks with LPO …push for inclusion, transparency continuesNew Era
Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has taken on 19 interns from various tertiary and vocational institutions
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and skills transfer by taking on 19 interns from various tertiary and vocational institutions across the country.”
Meatco partners with training institutions … accelerated skills developmentInformanté
Meat Corporation of Namibia has taken to court its former CEO Patrick Liebenberg, suing for N$6.1 million allegedly misappropriated
“THE Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has taken its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patrick Liebenberg, to court, suing him to recoup an amount of N$6.1 million that he allegedly misappropriated.”
Meatco sues former CEO for N$6.1 millionInformanté
Meat Corporation of Namibia has welcomed 19 interns from tertiary and vocational institutions
“MEAT Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has welcomed 19 interns from tertiary and vocational institutions across Namibia, as part of an internship programme aimed at strengthening skills development and supporting the country's red meat industry.”
Meatco internship programme supports young professionalsThe Namibian
Meat Corporation of Namibia improved extraction of value from cattle in 2024/25 financial year despite persistent drought
“THE Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) improved extraction of value from cattle in the 2024/25 financial year, despite persistent drought.”
Meatco cattle marketing hits drought-cycle highMeatco 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 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 →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia has filed a High Court case against former CEO Patrick Liebenberg to recover N$6.1 million he allegedly misappropriated between 2024 and 2025. Liebenberg faces 26 disciplinary charges including fraud, sabotage, and forgery, and is under criminal investigation over the disappearance of 900 cattle valued at N$7 million.
13 March 2026 · Informanté →
Meat Corporation of Namibia has enrolled 19 interns from various tertiary and vocational institutions in a six-month placement programme (October 2025–March 2026) aimed at developing skills in the red meat industry and supporting government's National Development Plan 6. The interns gain practical workplace experience across technical, operational and managerial roles while receiving a monthly allowance.
13 March 2026 · Informanté →
Meat Corporation of Namibia slaughtered 75,268 cattle in the 2024/25 financial year despite ongoing drought, achieving higher average carcass weights and dressing percentages through improved production and processing efficiencies. The company attributed increased cattle marketing to improved payment discipline and producer confidence.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Meat Corporation of Namibia acting chief executive Patrick Liebenberg faces 26 disciplinary charges, including allegations of misappropriating over N$5.5 million and fraud linked to 900 missing cattle. The charges include forging agreements, falsifying livestock records, and instructing staff to move cattle during an audit to mislead auditors, with Meatco also filing a High Court case against him.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia slaughtered 75,268 cattle in the 2024/25 financial year and achieved higher average carcass weights and dressing percentages despite persistent drought conditions and lower slaughter numbers, with improved payment discipline encouraging farmers to market more cattle through the company compared to previous drought cycles.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The finance ministry plans to reduce subsidies and capital transfers to state-owned enterprises from N$1.3 billion in 2025/26 to N$615.7 million in 2026/27, citing fiscal consolidation and high public debt. Several SOEs including TransNamib and the Agricultural Bank of Namibia will receive no government transfers, while priority support goes to the National Housing Enterprise and Road Fund Administration.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco has instructed a company owned by David van der Linden to immediately cease the sale of 900 cattle that Meatco claims were wrongfully attached during the liquidation of Linden Beef CC. Meatco's lawyer warns that failure to comply will result in an urgent High Court application, citing ear tag numbers and records in the livestock identification system as proof of ownership.
27 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's livestock industry has warned that vaccinating against foot-and-mouth disease would severely damage the sector by making the country ineligible for premium markets such as the EU, UK, and US, which collectively import the majority of Namibian beef at high-value prices. Officials stress that Namibia's status as "FMD-free without vaccination" is crucial for market access, and any vaccination south of the veterinary fence is illegal; the Directorate of Veterinary Services has warned it will confiscate and cull illegally vaccinated cattle.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia has confirmed that 900 head of cattle are missing from the company and that N$2.5 million in cash reconciliations cannot be accounted for by its livestock procurement department. Board chairperson Stephanie de Klerk said preliminary findings implicate former acting chief executive Patrick Liebenberg and some staff members, with a criminal case lodged against Liebenberg for theft of livestock and defeating the course of justice.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco held its 37th Annual General Meeting, reporting that group revenue increased approximately 55% to N$1.87 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, with profit before tax of N$105 million and profit after tax of N$43 million, while paying N$1.13 billion directly to livestock producers despite drought and volatile global markets.
24 February 2026 · Informanté →
Meatco's 2024/25 financial results show strengthened governance and operational discipline, with overall revenue increasing to approximately N$1.87 billion and profit after tax exceeding N$43 million. The corporation paid over N$1.13 billion directly to producers, with Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani saying the gains reflect the dedication of the Board, management, and staff as well as producer resilience.
24 February 2026 · New Era →
The chief veterinary officer warned that cattle found to have been illegally vaccinated against foot and mouth disease will be culled, as vaccination south of the veterinary cordon fence would cost Namibia its FMD-free status and access to international beef markets. Recent FMD outbreaks in South Africa and Botswana have prompted increased surveillance in Namibian border regions.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Agriculture Inge Zaamwani has called for continued reforms and heightened vigilance against Foot and Mouth Disease as the Meat Corporation of Namibia advances its recovery, announcing a profit of approximately N$106 million for the year ended 31 January 2025 after several years of losses. The minister described Meatco as strategically important to achieving the agri-food sector's target contribution of 6% to GDP by 2030 and emphasized that financial stability is critical for farmer confidence, market security and Namibia's export reputation.
23 February 2026 · New Era →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told Meatco's Annual General Meeting that Namibia's livestock sector is improving in governance and financial stability, with the corporation targeting a 6% contribution to GDP by 2030. Zaamwani emphasized that Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention is a national responsibility requiring vigilance from producers, transporters, and officials, as FMD threatens trade and Namibia's reputation as a quality beef producer.
21 February 2026 · Informanté →