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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Meat Corporation of Namibia

Meat Corporation of Namibia — state-owned livestock processor, suspended beef exports following foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in September 2026.

2024-09-152026-10-22
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  1. June 2026

  2. Informanté

    Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has revised the amount allegedly misappropriated by Liebenberg from N$6.1 million to N$7.5 million

    Source

    “THE Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), which has taken its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patrick Liebenberg, to court, has revised the amount allegedly misappropriated by Liebenberg from N$6.1 million to N$7.5 million after the uncovering of more irregular transactions purportedly carried out by Liebenberg.”

    Meatco revises alleged fraud committed by Liebenberg up from N$6.1 million to N$7.5 million
  3. May 2026

  4. Informanté

    Meat Corporation of Namibia finalised wage negotiations with Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years

    Source

    “THE Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) have finalised wage negotiations for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years.”

    Meatco confirms salary increases

  5. Windhoek Observer

    Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) wants to increase its civil claim against Patrick Liebenberg from N$6.1 million to more than N$7.5 million

    Source

    “The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) wants to increase its civil claim against former executive for livestock production and procurement Patrick Liebenberg from N$6.1 million to more than N$7.5 million.”

    Meatco cranks Liebenberg lawsuit up to N$7.5m …claims Liebenberg ran a cash cow scheme at Meatco

  6. Windhoek Observer

    Meatco accuses Liebenberg of fraud, theft and misappropriation of company funds

    Source

    “Meatco accuses Liebenberg of fraud, theft and misappropriation of company funds.”

    Meatco cranks Liebenberg lawsuit up to N$7.5m …claims Liebenberg ran a cash cow scheme at Meatco

  7. Windhoek Observer

    Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) had contracted Linden Beef to feed cattle before slaughter at Meatco's Windhoek abattoir

    Source

    “Meatco had contracted Linden Beef to feed cattle bought south of the veterinary cordon fence (redline) before slaughter at Meatco's Windhoek abattoir.”

    Linden Beef collapses under N$28m debt …as it fails to oppose Bank Windhoek’s liquidation application

  8. Windhoek Observer

    Meat Corporation of Namibia announced memorandum of agreement with Zambezi Meat Corporation reached contractual expiry

    Source

    “Meatco announced last week that its memorandum of agreement with the Zambezi Meat Corporation (Zamco) had reached its contractual expiry.”

    Farmers fear market loss after Katima abattoir scale down

  9. Windhoek Observer

    Meat Corporation of Namibia is implementing transitional exit plan from April 16 to June 30

    Source

    “Meatco is implementing a transitional exit plan which began on 16 April and will end on 30 June.”

    Farmers fear market loss after Katima abattoir scale down

  10. The Namibian

    Meat Corporation of Namibia lost cattle linked to farm, estimated worth N$7 million

    Source

    “After the cannabis discovery, the farm was also linked to the disappearance of cattle owned by the Meat Corporation of Namibia, estimated to be worth N$7 million.”

    ‘Dagga’ farm auctioned for N$44.5m

  11. Windhoek Observer

    Meat Corporation of Namibia will progressively scale down operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir

    Source

    “The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) will progressively scale down operations at the Katima Mulilo abattoir.”

    Meatco winds down Katima abattoir operations

  12. Windhoek Observer

    Meatco announced that the memorandum of agreement between Meatco and ZAMCO, which was in effect from 10 April 2021 to 15 April 2026, has expired

    Source

    “Meatco announced on Tuesday that the memorandum of agreement between Meatco and ZAMCO, which was in effect from 10 April 2021 to 15 April 2026, has expired.”

    Meatco winds down Katima abattoir operations
Agriculture & Land

Meatco pays cattle producers N$31 million despite foot-and-mouth outbreak

The News

The Meat Corporation of Namibia has paid cattle producers N$31 million over the past two weeks for deliveries between 29 August and 11 September, despite disruptions from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting livestock movement and export markets. Meatco interim chief executive Albertus Aochamub says the company is reviewing operating costs to ensure it can continue meeting obligations to farmers, service providers and creditors while awaiting the lifting of livestock movement restrictions.

12 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 12 October

  1. Meatco pays cattle producers N$31 million despite foot-and-mouth outbreak

    The Meat Corporation of Namibia has paid cattle producers N$31 million over the past two weeks for deliveries between 29 August and 11 September, despite disruptions from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting livestock movement and export markets. Meatco interim chief executive Albertus Aochamub says the company is reviewing operating costs to ensure it can continue meeting obligations to farmers, service providers and creditors while awaiting the lifting of livestock movement restrictions.

    12 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. EU temporarily suspends Namibian beef imports over FMD outbreak

    The European Union has temporarily suspended imports of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat, and certain processed meat products from Namibia following a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak confirmed last month in the ||Kharas region and now affecting 11 farms. The EU ambassador says Namibia's market share is small and EU businesses will source beef from other suppliers, with limited market impact expected.

    6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 29 September

  1. Government investigates returned Namibian meat shipment from Europe

    The government is investigating a Namibian meat shipment returned from Europe following foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and is consulting European partners to establish whether the consignment originated from the affected area. Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani said Namibia would notify the World Organisation for Animal Health to determine how affected consignments should be handled.

    29 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 27 September

  1. Meatco welcomes partial easing of FMD restrictions in Namibia

    Meatco has welcomed the partial easing of Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions announced by the Directorate of Veterinary Services, which allows slaughter under prescribed conditions and movement of specified processed animal products countrywide, with preliminary findings indicating the disease remains localised in the //Kharas Region.

    27 September 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 26 September

  1. Meatco suspends beef exports after Karasburg FMD outbreak

    Meatco has suspended beef exports following a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the Karasburg area of //Kharas Region. The Directorate of Veterinary Services has activated the National FMD Contingency Plan, imposing immediate control measures including suspension of movement and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their products.

    26 September 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 25 September

  1. Meatco suspends beef exports after foot-and-mouth disease detected

    The Meat Corporation of Namibia has suspended beef exports following the detection of foot-and-mouth disease at a commercial farm at Karasburg. The directorate of veterinary services has activated the national FMD contingency plan, imposing measures that include suspending movement, marketing, and trade of cloven-hoofed animals and their products.

    25 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Meatco reports 56% midterm revenue increase to N$793.20 million

    State-owned Meat Corporation of Namibia increased midterm revenue to N$793.20 million as at 31 July, a 56% rise year-on-year, with slaughter throughput up 55% to more than 34,000 cattle. The corporation attributed the growth to improved cattle procurement, stronger export realisations, and operational efficiencies.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Livestock Board appoints Vehaka Tjimune as new chief executive

    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 →

Monday 24 August

  1. Zambezi farmers accuse Zamco of unpaid cattle deliveries

    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 →

Monday 17 August

  1. Zambezi farmers demand Meatco return to run closed abattoir

    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 →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Meatco sues former CEO Liebenberg for N$7.5 million allegedly misappropriated

    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 →

Monday 3 August

  1. Meatco stays profitable despite cattle throughput decline of 53%

    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 →

Thursday 30 July

  1. Meatco secures additional Norwegian beef quota worth N$100 million

    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 →

  2. Meatco secures additional Norwegian beef export quota

    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 →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Cattle shortage cuts Meatco revenue by N$757 million

    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 →

Thursday 23 July

  1. Prime Minister backs Meatco recovery and livestock industry growth

    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 →

Friday 17 July

  1. Ghanaian businessman owes Meatco N$300,000 in beef deal

    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 →

Thursday 2 July

  1. PDM MP demands clarity on Northern Communal Areas equalisation fund

    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 →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Government to roll out NCA Price Equalisation Fund this year

    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 →

Friday 12 June

  1. Meatco urged to join animal auctions in northern communal areas

    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 →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Meatco raises fraud allegation against former CEO to N$7.5 million

    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 →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Meatco and union agree to salary increases for 2026–2028

    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 →

Friday 22 May

  1. Meatco sues ex-executive Liebenberg for N$7.5m over alleged fraud

    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 →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. High Court places Linden Beef under final liquidation order

    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 →

Monday 11 May

  1. Katima abattoir scale-down worries Zambezi farmers

    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 →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Cannabis-linked farm auctioned for N$44.5 million

    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 →

  2. Meatco scales down Katima Mulilo abattoir operations

    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 →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Meatco ships 45% of Norway beef quota by mid-April

    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 →

Saturday 18 April

  1. Namibia should restrict live cattle exports to boost value addition

    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 →

Friday 17 April

  1. Opinion: Namibia should restrict live cattle exports to boost processing

    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 →

Meat Corporation of Namibia — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute