Africa-Press – Namibia. DESPITE a decrease in beef marketing numbers during 2022, compared to 2021, Namibian exporters were still able to fully utilise the country’s 50% share of the available Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) Norwegian 2022 beef quota of 3 200 tonnes.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia’s website, the Norway quota is jointly allocated on a 50-50 basis to Namibia and Botswana, and the market is important for both countries’ meat industries, raking in N$520 million export earnings in 2021.
The Meat Board facilitates the export of livestock, meat and processed meat products to importing countries.
“But because Botswana could not fully utilise its 50% share of the 3 200 tonnes, Namibia was able to supplement part of that deficit with approximately 255 additional tonnes. The Norwegian market remains an extremely lucrative market for Namibia,” said the Meat Board.
This was corroborated by the chief executive officer of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), Mwilima Mushokabanji, at a media briefing on 3 February.
He said Meatco was the only commercial public enterprise in Africa exporting to luxury markets and maintaining access for Namibian beef to traditional export markets like South Africa, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Norway and Réunion.
“Through our Norwegian quota in particular, Meatco has never failed to fill our allocated quota. In fact, Meatco assisted to fill part of the Norway quota for Botswana,” Mushokabanji said.
Botswana and South Africa were hit by outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease last year and could not export beef to luxury markets.
According to the Meat Board, Namibian beef is well placed in Norway and commands high returns. In comparison with its counterpart Botswana, Namibia receives better prices.
“Although Namibian average export prices increased marginally from N$189 per kg in 2020 to N$190,75 in 2021, the value of exports increased tremendously due to an improvement in export quantity.
“On the other hand, Botswana export prices increased marginally from N$100,10 per kg to N$101,40,” said the Meat Board in its issue of Meat Chronicle.
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