Meatco commits to enhance communal farmer sustainability

Meatco has developed a Communal Area South and North of the Veterinary Cordon Fence Strategy to maximise cattle procurement from farmers.The plan, drawn up by Meatco’s Livestock Procurement and Production Department for the current financial year, aims to acquire around 8 000 cattle from communal farmers.“This will be the highest we have ever procured from the area through our permit days and direct deliveries to our Windhoek abattoir by the farmers," the company said.Meatco said it plans to use all streams in the communal area, including auctions, permit days, purchases from individual farmers and on-farm or village purchases. The company added that it has already slaughtered more than 25 000 animals from both south and north of the veterinary cordon fence and has budgeted to slaughter 75 000 cattle for the financial year ending January 2026.Pricing plan Meatco also plans to strengthen its backgrounding initiatives by buying steers at 280 kg.Further details about the initiative will be announced in due course, the company said.“Furthermore, there are plans by the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke farmers unions to start small-scale feedlots, and as Meatco, we saw this as an opportunity to approach the unions by supporting and sourcing cattle from these established feedlots for direct slaughter or backgrounding, depending on their age and weight.”Meatco said it continues to prioritise competitive producer pricing.“Currently, for the period August to October 2025, we are paying a high price of N$68.50/kg for A2-4, AB2-4 and B2-4 grades, and from November 2025 to January 2026, we will offer N$70/kg for A2-4, AB2-4 and B2-4 grades.”It added that during this period, C2-4 grades will be paid at N$66/kg for cattle delivered directly to the abattoir, as part of its role as a price stabiliser.

Meatco commits to enhance communal farmer sustainability

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-18

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Meatco commits to enhance communal farmer sustainability

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-18

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