Namibian beef goes to China

Namibia has signed an agreement that would see it becoming the first African country to export beef to China. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Theo Diergaardt confirmed that the deal was clinched last week and would be announced this week. Chinese ambassador Xin Shunkang also confirmed the deal on Friday. According to him, China is yet to identify the port to be used for the exportation of beef to Asia while Namibia will identify two local companies that will be registered in China. “Meatco may be one of the companies but we know that the Namibian government wants the companies to be black owned,” said Xin. The ambassador further urged Namibians to venture into cattle farming. “The Chinese love Namibian beef and every person needs at least half a kilo of beef a day,” he said. “We have always said Namibia must export its own resources in order to get more money and this is now the chance to do that,” said Xin. He advised against grassland grazing, saying industrial feedlot feeding is “better”. Namibia is renowned for its free-range, grass-fed beef. China, which has a population of 1.3 billion people, could become the largest beef market in the world when it starts importing beef from Namibia. WINDHOEK JEMIMA BEUKES