Namibian beef on high demand

Meat experts here are so impressed with the quality of Namibian beef that they are predicting demand is likely to grow as more Europeans realise the nutritional benefits of this beef that is free from growth hormones and other banned substances. Before shipment to overseas markets, local beef is vacuum-packed to international standards and once shipped, these cuts have a shelf life of up to six months provided that the cold chain is maintained at a constant and specified minimum temperature. The beef cuts shipped to Europe have been given a thumbs-up by those in the know who say sales of Namibian beef are quite impressive on the lucrative European market where consumers are quality conscious.

Displayed and sold in many of Britain's major supermarket chains as well as several European countries, Namibia's beef is regarded as the best imported beef, of a higher quality when compared to other exporters like Botswana and Brazil. Managing director of the branch of Meat Corporation of Namibia in the United Kingdom, Ove Nielson who is based in London, commended Namibia for maintaining the high standards of beef quality over the past couple of years. Statistics indicate that through the largest processor and exporter of beef in the country, namely Meatco, Namibia managed to export a huge amount of beef to the European Union (EU) last year alone and demand is still rising.

Besides the United Kingdom, which is the biggest importer of Namibian beef, EU countries such as Holland, Germany, Greece and Norway also enjoy local beef. Although Namibia was granted annual beef quotas of 10 500 tonnes for access into the EU market 14 years ago, this quota was increased to 13 000 tonnes of beef per year as from 2000 onwards. Meatco’s two main abattoirs in Windhoek and Okahandja have been able to meet this increasing demand. "We've provided between 10 and 12 000 tonnes every year and even President Pohamba commended us for meeting 76 percent of the quotas provided by the EU," added the chief executive officer of Meatco Namibia Phillip Stoffberg. These quotas are normally provided under the Beef Protocol of the Lome Convention IV.

With this trend, Namibia is bound to make inroads in the European Market where its prices compete well against other beef exporters on the global arena. Namibian beef is therefore on high demand not only in the United Kingdom, but other European states like Germany, Norway and Greece. Although agriculture contributes only about 10 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product, its socio-economic contribution is estimated at 21 percent. Due to the fact that 80 percent of all beef and beef products are exported, this makes Namibia mainly dependent on its foreign markets for income.

Sales meant for export to EU markets are normally handled by the Meatco subsidiary Meat Corporation of Namibia (UK) Limited, together with its sister companies in Germany and Holland, which are all managed by the Allied Meat Importers Group. Stoffberg added that what makes the industry so flexible is that it sells in most of the European currencies whether it is the Euro, American Dollar or British Pound.

"Performance has been very good over the years and we are looking forward to making formidable profits," added Stoffberg. Procedurally, Namibian meat destined for the overseas market is transported in refrigerated containers by road to Walvis Bay or Cape Town in South Africa, from where the load is trans-shipped to Europe. It is then kept in London's Ecco Cold Stores where Allied Meat Importers distributes it for sale to the rest of Europe.