Securing Namibia’s place in a competitive meat industry

Namibia must implement several strategies to remain competitive and secure a sustained future in the ever-changing and volatile international meat market. This is according to Desmond Cloete, the chief of marketing at the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB), who stated that there should be conducive policy and regulatory support for the meat industry.Cloete said that Namibia possesses well-crafted policies; however, it lacks proper implementation. “Therefore, government policies that promote innovation, sustainability and market access will be crucial in supporting Namibia’s long-term competitiveness in the meat sector.” He said that this includes streamlining regulations, offering incentives for sustainable practices and working with international trade bodies to ensure favourable access to global markets.Sustainable farming practicesCloete said that another critical strategy is investment in sustainable farming practices that promote efficient water management, soil conservation and regenerative agriculture. He said that this could be achieved by promoting climate-smart farming techniques, such as rotational grazing and drought-resistant crops, which may mitigate the risk posed by climate change. Additionally, Cloete said embracing agroforestry and holistic land management practices can help mitigate environmental degradation and enhance resilience to climate shocks. He added that investment in technology and innovation will allow Namibia to compete in the global meat market. “As a net exporter, Namibia must invest in modern technologies that enhance productivity, traceability, quality assurance and branding for ease of market access.”According to Cloete, digital technologies improve the transparency of the supply chain and ensure that consumers in this digital age can trace their steak from farm to fork. He said that innovations in animal breeding, genetic improvements and disease control will also enhance the long-term sustainability of the meat sector.Cloete said that investment in local livestock fodder production will significantly improve Namibia’s competitiveness through increased throughput in abattoirs of quality preferred grades.“This will improve the efficiency of abattoirs and allow them to honour international supply agreements consistently.”He said that this will also address the issue of live exports to regional markets.Veterinary Cordon Fence Cloete further said that capacity building, skills development and coordinated advisory services must facilitate a mindset change so subsistence producers see their cattle as commodities rather than assets. “Capacity building and skills development will go a long way in honing supply and logistics, including market negotiation skills.” He said that establishing a foot-and-mouth disease and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) free zone in the Northern Communal Area (NCA) is part of the government’s drive to move the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) north. Cloete said that this zone will ensure that a significant number of NCA producers ultimately benefit from accessing more lucrative markets.He said that market access must be maintained and diversified. According to him, Namibia has trade agreements with various lucrative markets and maintaining access to these markets remains a priority. “Market diversification, both domestically and internationally, remains high on the agenda.”Cloete said that the code of good practice aimed at bulk consumers such as organisations,ministries and agencies (OMAs) in the NCA to source meat from the NCA is a “low-hanging fruit.” In addition, international markets that are more accessible for NCA beef, such as those in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), should be developed to improve returns, said Cloete. He said that the conducive environment created by the government should serve as a springboard for innovation and technology advancement.

Securing Namibia’s place in a competitive meat industry

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-20

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Securing Namibia’s place in a competitive meat industry

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-20

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