NAMIBIA– Namibia, a prominent player in Africa’s meat export market, is gearing up to enhance its livestock meat shipments internationally.
In line with this goal, the Chakula investment group, specializing in agri-food processing, has unveiled plans to inaugurate a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse in the Kunene region of northern Namibia.
With an estimated budget of US$1.9 million, the cutting-edge facility is currently in the construction phase and is slated to commence operations by the close of October next year.
The new slaughterhouse is expected to bolster Namibia’s meat production, boasting an impressive annual slaughter capacity of 13,000 head of cattle and 24,000 head of small livestock, including sheep, goats, and pigs.
Naka Shimwino, the President of Chakula Group, expressed the group’s intentions to pursue export accreditation once the abattoir becomes fully operational.
This investment aligns seamlessly with the company’s overarching growth strategy while simultaneously contributing to national objectives of promoting sustainable agricultural practices, value-added production, and the export of high-quality meat products.
Namibia’s commitment to increasing its meat exports comes at a pivotal moment in the country’s economic landscape.
Earlier this year, Calle Schlettwein, the Minister of Agriculture, announced that Namibia was on the verge of finalizing a lucrative agreement for the supply of sheep and goat meat with China, the world’s foremost importer of such products.
The development held as a great promise for the nation’s economic growth and global reach in the meat industry.
Meanwhile, Namibia has already established a strong foothold in the African meat market, and this latest venture is poised to further elevate its standing.
According to data from the Trademap platform, Namibia raked in over US$100 million in revenue from edible meat and offal shipments in 2022. ThE impressive figure underscores the country’s potential to become a meat-exporting powerhouse in the region.
The Chakula Group’s significant investment is not only a testament to their confidence in Namibia’s meat industry but also a reflection of the nation’s commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture and advancing the production of high-quality meat products.
The upcoming slaughterhouse is poised to be a game-changer, not only for the company but also for the country’s economy and its aspirations to become a global meat exporter.
As construction progresses on this cutting-edge facility, Namibia is positioning itself to meet the ever-growing demand for high-quality meat products in international markets.
The launch of the abattoir is a significant milestone that promises to propel Namibia’s meat exports to new heights, solidifying its place among the world’s top meat-producing nations.
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