Africa-Press – Namibia. THE O&L Group has re-opened the Farmers Meat small stock abattoir, which closed in August 2020, paying out a total of N$75 million to sheep producers between October 2022 and June 2023.
Wessie van der Westhuizen, O&L Group CEO, said that the O&L Group has taken concrete steps to promote and support this vital sector.
“In 2019, we acquired a majority stake in Hartlief – a strategic investment that would unlock the potential of Namibia’s meat industry with premium quality meat, allowing us to compete on the global stage. Today, I am thrilled to share with you the progress we have made since then. Farmers Meat, under the umbrella of the Hartlief Group, resumed commercial operations in October 2022 after a two-year closure caused by the devastating drought that plagued our country,” Van der Westhuizen said.
He added that the reopening of Farmers Meat in October 2022 has already made a remarkable impact. “As the biggest sheep abattoir operation in Namibia and the only approved exporter of sheep meat in the country, we have paid over N$75 million to sheep producers between October 2022 and June 2023. This showcases our commitment to supporting local farmers and fostering economic development within our communities,” van der Westhuizen said.
He also mentioned that through Farmers Meat, the exceptional quality of Namibian lamb is showcased and enjoyed on an international scale. “We have already begun exporting deboned lamb to Norway and Seychelles, and we are on the verge of exporting our first consignment to Germany (EU) and Bermuda Island (Caribbean Islands). However, to sustain this infrastructure, the plans to export to China, the Middle East, and the United States need to be expedited by the Government. Obtaining export status opens the doors to lucrative international markets, the SADC region, and the wider African market, presenting tremendous growth opportunities for our business and Namibia as a whole,” Van der Westhuizen said.
Sharing future plans for the 2023 calendar year, van der Westhuizen said that O&L plans to process 55,000 sheep. In 2024, he added that the abattoir plans to handle between 100,000 and 170,000 sheep, which will require further investment.
“By 2025, we envision reaching full production capacity, processing 280,000 sheep. This will necessitate additional investments which we are only too willing to make. Hence, the abattoir will be temporarily shut down from the 7th of August until the 4th of September 2023 to allow for significant maintenance, improvements, upgrades, and investment to the plant. These plans demonstrate our unwavering dedication to the growth and prosperity of the Namibian meat industry,” van der Westhuizen said.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture, Calle Schlettwein, said that the facility is pivotal to unlocking economic opportunities for small stock farmers in the Southern region and beyond.
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