Schlettwein concerned about declining beef exports
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein last week painted a bleak picture of the livestock sector in Namibia.
He described Namibia’s ability to deliver beef to its markets as "pathetically low" and said all abattoirs in the country face financial problems.
He said the country faces these challenges despite priding itself as the only African nation with access to the top markets for beef such as Europe, the USA and China as well as the African continent. He underlined that Namibia’s ability to deliver has dropped from 10 000 metric tonnes to a mere 5 000.
Speaking at Bank Windhoek’s online agriculture series titled ‘policy as a critical tool to attracting new investment in agriculture’, Schlettwein said there are several issues that have to be addressed in the livestock sector, as production levels are well below their potential.
Improve value chains
"We have turned into a producer of raw materials and an importer of finished meat products, and by that, we are forgoing the significant economic advantages of servicing these best-paying markets with finished or intermediatory goods."
He said the ministry agrees with those who push for a better balance between weaner exports and beef exports.
"Where we can, we must produce slaughter-ready cattle. Where we cannot, weaner production is the answer."
Schlettwein said the industry needs to improve its capacity to absorb weaners and channel them into local value chains instead of exporting them.
Dire situations
He described the situation at all registered abattoirs as desperate, since none have enough throughput to make them viable.
"All of them are in serious financial difficulty. Our tannery industry is diminishing and so are further linkages with their job opportunities. We cannot continue on this trend."
The minister said an institutional review is being considered, through which they envisage a better alignment of agricultural institutions into supply and value chains. Likewise, the pricing of agricultural produce for the farmer must be improved.
"Currently, institutions created to support farmers have turned into burdens for farmers. Management deficiencies put pressure on prices and reduce support services to farmers. We need institutions that truly support farmers, both in terms of extension services and better prices for controlled goods."
He described Namibia’s ability to deliver beef to its markets as "pathetically low" and said all abattoirs in the country face financial problems.
He said the country faces these challenges despite priding itself as the only African nation with access to the top markets for beef such as Europe, the USA and China as well as the African continent. He underlined that Namibia’s ability to deliver has dropped from 10 000 metric tonnes to a mere 5 000.
Speaking at Bank Windhoek’s online agriculture series titled ‘policy as a critical tool to attracting new investment in agriculture’, Schlettwein said there are several issues that have to be addressed in the livestock sector, as production levels are well below their potential.
Improve value chains
"We have turned into a producer of raw materials and an importer of finished meat products, and by that, we are forgoing the significant economic advantages of servicing these best-paying markets with finished or intermediatory goods."
He said the ministry agrees with those who push for a better balance between weaner exports and beef exports.
"Where we can, we must produce slaughter-ready cattle. Where we cannot, weaner production is the answer."
Schlettwein said the industry needs to improve its capacity to absorb weaners and channel them into local value chains instead of exporting them.
Dire situations
He described the situation at all registered abattoirs as desperate, since none have enough throughput to make them viable.
"All of them are in serious financial difficulty. Our tannery industry is diminishing and so are further linkages with their job opportunities. We cannot continue on this trend."
The minister said an institutional review is being considered, through which they envisage a better alignment of agricultural institutions into supply and value chains. Likewise, the pricing of agricultural produce for the farmer must be improved.
"Currently, institutions created to support farmers have turned into burdens for farmers. Management deficiencies put pressure on prices and reduce support services to farmers. We need institutions that truly support farmers, both in terms of extension services and better prices for controlled goods."
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