Namibia supplemented Botswana’s share of Norwegian beef quota

ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEKNot only did Namibia fully utilise its share of the Norwegian beef quota last year, but it also supplemented Botswana’s share of the quota.Despite a significant decrease in beef marketing numbers during last year, compared to the year 2020, Namibian beef exporters were still able to make full use of their 50% share (1 600 tonnes), of the available Southern African Customs Union Norwegian 2021 beef quota of 3 200 tonnes.The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) says the quota was allocated jointly by Norway to Namibia and Botswana.However, Botswana could not utilise their 50% share of the 3 200 tonnes and Namibia was able to supplement a deficit of approximately 700 tonnes.Lucrative quota“The Norwegian market is an extremely lucrative market for Namibia,” says the NAU.The union explains that Namibia and Botswana may export 3 200 tonnes of beef to Norway.“This is a duty-free quota and is shared between the two countries on an equal basis. Although no formal agreement exists to share the quota, it is understood that it is shared equally as per gentleman's agreement.”It says another condition for the utilisation of the quota is that all beef that is to be exported to Norway must be deboned. Namibia cannot export bone-in beef to Norway.According to the NAU, the 3 200 tonnes comprise of a portion that is allocated to Namibia and Botswana under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) free trade agreement (500 tonnes) while a significant portion (2 700 tonnes) is available to the two countries under the general system of preferences, which Norway has granted unilaterally to Botswana and Namibia.The NAU adds that Namibia, along with Botswana and Eswatini, may also export 400 tonnes of duty-free mutton annually to Norway. This meat is required to be deboned. However, no mutton has been exported in recent years to Norway under this quota arrangement.

Namibia supplemented Botswana’s share of Norwegian beef quota

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-21

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Namibia supplemented Botswana’s share of Norwegian beef quota

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-21

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