Meatco resumes limited slaughter after FMD outbreak
Namibia's beef producer Meatco will slaughter cattle for two days to generate revenue amid export market disruptions.
Meatco will temporarily resume slaughtering operations on October 27 and 28, 2026, processing cattle from its own feedlot. This limited operation follows a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Kharas Region that disrupted access to export markets. The beef processed will be sold exclusively within Namibia.
Deputy board chairperson Stephanie de Klerk stated that this temporary reopening does not signal a return to normal operations or the resumption of buying cattle from farmers. While domestic sales will generate some revenue, Meatco warned that local market prices cannot replace the higher margins earned from international markets, leaving the company under continued financial pressure.
The disruption has affected Meatco's cash flow, prompting emergency cost-containment measures. The company is exploring alternative sales channels with domestic retailers and hospitality businesses. A broader resumption of slaughtering and livestock procurement depends on further directives from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, with no timeline provided for restoring normal operations.
Why it mattersNamibia's beef industry faces export disruptions and financial pressure due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.