Oversupply of cattle at Meatco

The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has started operating at maximum slaughtering capacity following an oversupply of cattle which meant that more than 4 000 cattle had to be slaughtered by the end of this month.
The dilemma was caused by the drought and the strict export restrictions of cattle on the hoof to South Africa, which came into effect on 1 July, as well as the fact that Meatco currently has only one abattoir in operation.
According to the company, compared to a normal rainfall year and considering that August onwards usually counts as off-season, there is a marked increase in slaughter cattle numbers.
Statistics provided by the company to Namibian Sun indicated that the supply of C-grade cattle to Meatco during August increased from 19% to 26% compared with the same period last year, while the supply of cows increased from 16% to 21% and the supply of heifers increased from 13% to 14%.
Meatco therefore appealed to farmers who were allocated slaughtering quotas for the third quarter to wait until the fourth quarter starting in October.
Meatco spokesperson Rosa Thobias told Namibian Sun that their procurement department encouraged producers to move most of the cattle on the standby list to the fourth quarter.
“With contract signing for the fourth quarter and with the restrictions on the Okapuka feedlot, we had to cancel 1 720 animals for slaughter up to now. Currently only 635 cattle are on standby for the remainder of September,” she said.
According to her, due to the oversupply of cattle the deboning capacity of the Windhoek abattoir was increased from the initial 420 to 460 cattle per day. This excludes carcasses for wholesale and private slaughtering. The total slaughter capacity is 560 per day.
She added that the factory has also been open on three Saturdays to assist with additional capacity.
“Meatco appeals to producers to remain patient, as we are working hard to accommodate as many cattle as possible at our abattoir and at our feedlots,” Meatco said.
Thobias added that water consumption is a key concern, with all efforts being made to reduce consumption in as far as possible.
“Any increase in slaughter volumes will however impact water requirements but we believe that we can remain within the agreed parameters as per contractual agreement with the City of Windhoek and NamWater,” she said.
Asked what this agreement entailed she said the details are confidential, but the entire country is obliged to reduce their water usage.

ELLANIE SMIT