Future of sheep marketing in spotlight
The Meat Board recently attended the Keetmanshoop Regional Agricultural Union meeting in Keetmanshoop during which the sheep marketing scheme and the future of sheep marketing in Namibia was discussed.
The current situation surrounding the prices offered to producers and the delivery of lamb to local abattoirs were also discussed along with the promotion of mutton and lamb, the marketing of over-fat sheep and the promotion of sheep and lamb consumption in Namibia.
The Meat Board's technical committee on sheep marketing will handle the relevant issues, while the Meat Board meat standards division together with their public relations officer will attend to the promotion of sheep and lamb meat.
Furthermore the meat industry and the Directorate of Veterinary Services met this month to discuss the harmonising of requirements for the import of animals and animal products at all Namibian border posts.
During this meeting a standard operating procedure for the import of animal and animal products was also discussed.
This document was disseminated amongst industry members for input prior to it being finalised.
According to the Meat Board it was again mentioned that close collaboration between the industry and the Directorate of Veterinary Services is critical, not only for the protection of human and animal health when animals and animal products are imported, but also for economic growth.
This is especially important seen in the light of the vision to develop Namibia as a trade hub by connecting SADC to the rest of the world, given the strategic location of Namibia and the presence of two harbours, said the Meat Board.
Meanwhile, the World Meat Congress indicated the production and trade of beef and mutton will increase by 9% and 20% respectively over the next ten years. Countries where the biggest growth is expected are Asian countries like China and Korea, and the Middle East and northern Africa. The total consumption of beef is expected to increase by 9% whereas consumption of sheep meat is expected to increase by 19%. With regard to price, beef and mutton is expected to maintain the current price levels, even though the mutton price is the only price showing a slight increase lately, mostly due to a global shortage. Regardless of the current economic restrictions, international meat prices are expected to remain steep.
According to the Meat Board meat producers expressed concern regarding the growth in the “alternative” or “fake” meat product trend as a result of strong financial support given by large international chain groups.
The importance of meeting consumer demand, which is tender and consistent quality meat, was again reiterated.
ELLANIE SMIT
The current situation surrounding the prices offered to producers and the delivery of lamb to local abattoirs were also discussed along with the promotion of mutton and lamb, the marketing of over-fat sheep and the promotion of sheep and lamb consumption in Namibia.
The Meat Board's technical committee on sheep marketing will handle the relevant issues, while the Meat Board meat standards division together with their public relations officer will attend to the promotion of sheep and lamb meat.
Furthermore the meat industry and the Directorate of Veterinary Services met this month to discuss the harmonising of requirements for the import of animals and animal products at all Namibian border posts.
During this meeting a standard operating procedure for the import of animal and animal products was also discussed.
This document was disseminated amongst industry members for input prior to it being finalised.
According to the Meat Board it was again mentioned that close collaboration between the industry and the Directorate of Veterinary Services is critical, not only for the protection of human and animal health when animals and animal products are imported, but also for economic growth.
This is especially important seen in the light of the vision to develop Namibia as a trade hub by connecting SADC to the rest of the world, given the strategic location of Namibia and the presence of two harbours, said the Meat Board.
Meanwhile, the World Meat Congress indicated the production and trade of beef and mutton will increase by 9% and 20% respectively over the next ten years. Countries where the biggest growth is expected are Asian countries like China and Korea, and the Middle East and northern Africa. The total consumption of beef is expected to increase by 9% whereas consumption of sheep meat is expected to increase by 19%. With regard to price, beef and mutton is expected to maintain the current price levels, even though the mutton price is the only price showing a slight increase lately, mostly due to a global shortage. Regardless of the current economic restrictions, international meat prices are expected to remain steep.
According to the Meat Board meat producers expressed concern regarding the growth in the “alternative” or “fake” meat product trend as a result of strong financial support given by large international chain groups.
The importance of meeting consumer demand, which is tender and consistent quality meat, was again reiterated.
ELLANIE SMIT
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