Also known as: The Meat Corporation of Namibia · The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) · Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) · Meatco NCA · State-owned meat processor · Meatco Namibia · acting Meatco CEO
Meatco — State-owned meat processor, facing financial strain from foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in //Kharas region.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Meatco
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Meatco has not implemented salary increments despite reporting profits
“The employees further question why the company has not implemented increments despite reporting profits.”
Meatco workers threaten strike over delayed salary increasesThe Namibian
Meatco announced it had entered global premium beef market with successful Wagyu slaughter and processing
“Meatco this week announced it had entered the global premium beef market with the successful slaughter and processing of Wagyu cattle at its facilities.”
Savanna to send first beef to EuropeThe Namibian
Meatco has entered the global premium beef market with successful Wagyu cattle slaughter and processing
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia has entered the global premium beef market with the successful slaughter and processing of Wagyu cattle at its facilities.”
Meatco targets niche exports with Wagyu cattleNew Era
Meatco achieved significant milestone in slaughtering and processing Wagyu cattle at its facilities
“Meatco has achieved a significant milestone in advancing Namibia's position in the global premium beef market by successfully slaughtering and processing Wagyu cattle at its facilities.”
Meatco elevates game with Wagyu processing …Arabic bank ready to finance turnaround strategyThe Namibian
Meatco agreed to stop selling live animals outside Namibia incrementally
“We agreed also that incrementally, until we come to 100%, we should stop selling live animals outside Namibia . . . and the Mauritius deal also showed that South Africa is not the only market.”
President tackles Sona grilling on oil, landInformanté
Meatco opened its doors to first-year NUST students for practical exposure to livestock and agro-processing industry
“MEATCO has opened its doors to first-year students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), offering them practical exposure to Namibia's livestock and agro-processing industry as part of efforts to support the country's skills development agenda.”
Meatco opens doors for NUST students to gain industry experienceNew Era
Meatco retained top audit grading under BRCGS certification system
“Namibia's largest meat processing and marketing entity, the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), has once again reaffirmed its commitment to international food safety and quality standards after its export abattoir retained a top audit grading under the Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) certification system.”
Meatco retains top global food safety accreditation …sustains worldwide demandThe Namibian
Meatco earned 84% of revenue from international markets in 2024/25
“The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) earned 84% of its revenue from international markets in the 2024/25 financial year, according to its latest annual report.”
Exports drive Meatco’s beef revenueThe Namibian
Meatco operates Halaal-certified facilities Halaal-certified facilities
“with three of the country's top export abattoirs operating Halaal-certified facilities”
Namibian beef set for halaal pasturesNew Era
Meatco plays a key role, aligning commercial activity with public interest
“Meatco, Namibia's public meat enterprise, plays a key role, as it aligns commercial activity with public interest.”
Opinion – Red meat must be central in Investment BillThe Meat Corporation of Namibia has proposed paying employees two-thirds of their salaries from November 2026 to January 2027 due to foot-and-mouth disease strains on the state-owned processor's finances. The proposal is part of an emergency cost containment package aimed at reducing expenses while protecting jobs and retaining critical skills.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia has proposed paying employees two-thirds of their salaries from November 2026 to January 2027 due to foot-and-mouth disease strains on the state-owned processor's finances. The proposal is part of an emergency cost containment package aimed at reducing expenses while protecting jobs and retaining critical skills.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco has sent roughly 400 production workers on three weeks' special leave with full pay from 1 to 23 October in response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the ||Kharas region, with a review of the situation scheduled for 23 October.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says Namibia is negotiating with trading partners over meat shipments affected by foot-and-mouth disease in //Kharas Region, with authorities checking whether consignments can move based on their origin. A shipment reported to be worth about N$400 million was said to be en route to Europe, though the minister did not confirm the value or whether it had been returned.
1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told the National Assembly that the government is developing a plan to support farmers affected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions, while consulting with international trading partners over meat shipments and new zoning measures. Opposition PDM leader McHenry Venaani questioned reports of a N$400 million meat shipment being returned from Europe and called for fuller National Assembly briefing on FMD developments.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told Parliament that the government is developing a plan to support farmers affected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions while consulting with international trading partners over meat shipments and zoning measures. PDM leader McHenry Venaani questioned reports of a meat shipment worth about N$400 million being returned from Europe and called for Parliament to be briefed on the FMD outbreak.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia risks losing its European market for beef due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that threatens the country's disease-free status and could suspend exports to international markets. About 60% of beef export earnings, roughly N$3.3 billion annually, come from European, British and Norwegian markets, which apply strict sanitary rules and are expected to close first.
28 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Meatco has welcomed the partial easing of restrictions following Foot-and-Mouth Disease detection in Karasburg, saying surveillance and traceability indicate the disease remains localised in //Kharas region. The revised measures allow partial lifting of restrictions north and south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, permitting slaughter and trade of specified processed animal products countrywide.
27 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Meatco's Interim CEO has urged continued discipline and reliance on verified information as surveillance continues following a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the Karasburg State Veterinary District. The latest surveillance results show confirmed cases remain geographically confined to Karasburg, with the incubation period still ongoing and restrictions expected to be eased gradually pending further results.
27 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia detected Foot and Mouth Disease cases south of the veterinary cordon fence in the //Kharas region after 10 of 11 cattle samples tested positive. The government imposed an immediate nationwide suspension on movement, marketing, import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their by-products.
25 September 2026 · New Era →
A nationwide suspension of livestock movement, trade and slaughtering following Foot-and-Mouth Disease detection in the //Kharas Region has left kapana vendors and families preparing customary events uncertain about cattle slaughter for lobola and funerals. Lawyers representing Affirmative Repositioning's Job Amupanda have demanded clarification from the acting agriculture minister on the scope and legal basis of the restrictions.
25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak confirmed in the //Kharas Region on 23 September is expected to cost the economy about N$1.8 billion over 2026 and 2027 and reduce 2026 economic growth by 0.45 percentage points, with nationwide livestock movement restrictions disrupting farming, meat processing, and exports valued at approximately N$5.5 billion annually.
24 September 2026 · Informanté →
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.
24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Ten of eleven cattle samples from the Karasburg State Veterinary District have tested positive for Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The government has suspended movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products across the country, with potential financial consequences for farmers, transporters, abattoirs, and rural households.
24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's state-owned meat processor Meatco recorded revenue of N$793.20 million year-to-date, a 56% increase from the prior year, with gross profit jumping to N$106 million. Cattle slaughter throughput rose 55% year-on-year to over 34,000 head, driven by improved livestock procurement, export market realisations, and operational efficiencies.
11 September 2026 · New Era →
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia has appointed Vehaka M. Tjimune as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2026. Tjimune brings more than 37 years of leadership experience in the agri-food sector across government, producer organisations, the private sector and international development institutions.
5 September 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Minister of International Relations called on the Republic of the Congo to increase investment and strengthen economic cooperation, highlighting agricultural and agro-processing value chains, particularly Namibian beef, as key areas for expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
26 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Outapi Abattoir is about 90% complete but will not become operational until the Ongwediva meat processing facility is fully operational and at full capacity, Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani said during a visit to Omusati Region. The abattoir forms part of an integrated meat value chain that includes quarantine facilities and abattoirs intended to supply the Ongwediva facility.
21 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Musese Green Scheme in Kavango West has launched animal feed production using crop residue, producing green chops, silage, and hay from grass, oats, maize, and mahangu stalks. Currently only chicken feed is sold publicly, while other feeds are used to fatten cattle at the scheme.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Shiwana Ndeunyema has been nominated for the 2026 Top 100 Influential Africans in Infrastructure by Powered by Africa, recognised for his leadership in energy, infrastructure governance and national policy. The nomination highlights his 15 years of professional experience and 10-month tenure as Interim Managing Director of NAMCOR amid Namibia's major offshore oil discoveries.
9 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia has secured an additional Norwegian beef quota of 344,766 kilograms through a government-to-government arrangement with Botswana, expected to generate approximately N$100 million in additional revenue. Combined with the initial 2026 allocation, Meatco's projected Norwegian exports for 2026 are valued at approximately N$365 million.
28 July 2026 · Informanté →
Meatco recorded a profit after tax of N$40.5 million and improved its balance sheet despite processing 53% fewer cattle than the previous financial year, according to its audited Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 January 2026, as Namibia faces a historic decline in cattle supply following years of drought.
27 July 2026 · Informanté →
Cabinet has directed the agriculture ministry to ensure that former Meatco chief executive Mwilima Mushokabanji is formally credited for the state-owned company's 55% revenue increase.
20 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
During President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China, Meatco and the Namibian government are negotiating the resumption of beef exports to the Chinese market and exploring Chinese investment in Namibia's meat value chain.
15 July 2026 · New Era →
MTC recorded profits of N$1.45 billion in the 2025 financial year, reinforcing its status as Namibia's most profitable public enterprise in the 2026 IJG Public Enterprise Governance Ranking. Other state-owned enterprises including NamPort, NamPower, and NamibRe showed mixed financial performance, with NamPort emerging as a strong turnaround performer with profits rising to N$864.5 million.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) scored 20 out of 20 in IJG Securities' 2026 Public Enterprise Governance Ranking, which assessed public enterprises over five years on annual report publication, profitability, fiscal transfer reliance, and CEO stability. NamPort, Agribank, and NamibRe placed second with 19 points each, while NamPower and NamWater tied for fifth with 18 points.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Minister of Agriculture announced that the Equalisation Fund, which ensures farmers in the Northern Communal Areas receive the same cattle prices as farmers elsewhere in Namibia, will be operationalised in 2024 after institutional delays prevented implementation the previous year. The ministry is also investing in feedlots and reducing transport costs for NCA farmers as part of broader efforts to remove market inequities.
27 June 2026 · Informanté →
Armand Carel Schultz, a 27-year-old South African arrested after a N$52 million cannabis plantation was discovered in Khomas Hochveld, denies being a farm manager and claims he was merely a mechanic with no knowledge of the operation. His lawyer argues in a High Court bail appeal that the State's case relies heavily on untested allegations from 14 farm workers who did not testify, rather than direct or forensic evidence.
18 June 2026 · Informanté →
Local livestock producer prices remained broadly firm during the week ending 15 June, with premium beef cattle commanding prices of up to N$79.50 per kilogram and slaughter sheep selling for more than N$41/kg on average at auction, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia.
17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Meatco is winding down operations at its Katima Mulilo abattoir following the expiry of its operational agreement with the Zambezi Meat Corporation, a decision that has triggered concern among communal farmers who relied on the facility for market access and employment.
11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →