Geingob promotes local beef in US
President Hage Geingob last week met with Red Apple Group Chief Executive Officer, John Catsimatidis to promote Namibia's beef export to the United States of America (USA).
Geingob informed him that only a small portion of Namibian cattle meet the European Union (EU) beef export specifications, while the bulk of the cattle north of the veterinary cordon fence, which separates northern Namibia from the central and southern parts, needs to be sanitised before it can be exported.
“But all together we have enough beef to send to American supermarkets,” he said.
Geingob is on an official mission to the USA until 22 September, and is expected to address the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on 20 September.
Red Apple Group is a conglomerate that among others owns supermarkets in New York for over 100 years.
It offers fresh meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, frozen and gourmet foods, and non-food items.
Catsimatidis said they first have to look at Namibia's beef export specifications to the EU.
“The fact that Namibia has been supplying the EU with beef for many years without any problems is very useful,” he added.
In a separate interview, Commercial Counsellor for Trade and Investment at the Embassy of Namibia in the USA, Freddie !Gaoseb on Friday advised that if Namibia wants to succeed in beef export to the USA, they should not compete with already established beef markets but rather look at the niche market.
“For example, most of the beef consumed here in New York restaurants is Angus beef; we don't produce Angus in Namibia,” he said.
Angus cattle have more meat on their bones than other breeds and have distinctive flecks of fat, which contribute to flavour and texture.
Another market is grass-fed and grass-finished beef, which !Gaoseb explained is completely organic as it contains no antibiotics and steroid hormone drugs.
“Namibia would not go there because our beef typically is grass raised but most of it is finished at feedlots [where they consume grains],” he added.
!Gaoseb emphasised that although Namibia does not meet the big beef market requirements in the USA, there is still a market for the beef in the United Kingdom.
-Nampa
George Hendricks
Geingob informed him that only a small portion of Namibian cattle meet the European Union (EU) beef export specifications, while the bulk of the cattle north of the veterinary cordon fence, which separates northern Namibia from the central and southern parts, needs to be sanitised before it can be exported.
“But all together we have enough beef to send to American supermarkets,” he said.
Geingob is on an official mission to the USA until 22 September, and is expected to address the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on 20 September.
Red Apple Group is a conglomerate that among others owns supermarkets in New York for over 100 years.
It offers fresh meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, frozen and gourmet foods, and non-food items.
Catsimatidis said they first have to look at Namibia's beef export specifications to the EU.
“The fact that Namibia has been supplying the EU with beef for many years without any problems is very useful,” he added.
In a separate interview, Commercial Counsellor for Trade and Investment at the Embassy of Namibia in the USA, Freddie !Gaoseb on Friday advised that if Namibia wants to succeed in beef export to the USA, they should not compete with already established beef markets but rather look at the niche market.
“For example, most of the beef consumed here in New York restaurants is Angus beef; we don't produce Angus in Namibia,” he said.
Angus cattle have more meat on their bones than other breeds and have distinctive flecks of fat, which contribute to flavour and texture.
Another market is grass-fed and grass-finished beef, which !Gaoseb explained is completely organic as it contains no antibiotics and steroid hormone drugs.
“Namibia would not go there because our beef typically is grass raised but most of it is finished at feedlots [where they consume grains],” he added.
!Gaoseb emphasised that although Namibia does not meet the big beef market requirements in the USA, there is still a market for the beef in the United Kingdom.
-Nampa
George Hendricks
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