Namibia Ships First Beef Consignment to US

21 Feb 2020

On 19 February 2020, the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) dispatched its first consignment of Namibian beef to the United States. 

Meatco’s high-quality beef has made Namibia the first country in Africa eligible to export beef to the United States.  This incredible milestone is a benefit from the duty-free export of beef into the United States through the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

                          

After undergoing several audits, health and safety protocols since Namibia became eligible in 2016, yesterday’s consignment was the first official commercial consignment.  This follows various samples that were sent to the US for various laboratory tests to ensure all safety aspects were adhered to.

 

Under the final approval agreements, Meatco will be exporting boneless raw beef products like primal cuts and beef trimmings as well as chuck and blade.   The approval will enable Meatco to send 860 tonnes in the first year and by the fifth year, Namibia will be able to send up to 5 700 tonnes per year. 

 

The consignment, which left Namibia via the Walvis Bay Port, is expected to enter US via the Philadelphia Port.  

 

Namibia’s livestock industry is worth approximately N$3.9 billion annually, according to Meat Board 2019 statistics, with Meatco’s share around 50%.

 

Meatco has managed to stabilise producer prices over the past few years and continues to maintain a relatively competitive price compared to other regional and international beef-producing countries, such as, Botswana, Brazil and Argentina, which have the same nett export status and serve similar international markets.