No need for beef
An industry expert from Norway has told Namibian beef producers that they should come first in all considerations.
A Norwegian businessman has called on local farmers to stick together in taking the meat industry to the next level.
Gunnar Dalen, who is also a farmer and politician, has advised the Namibian authorities against sidelining local producers.
“Should arguments and friendly submissions fail, producers of Meatco must stand together to make themselves heard otherwise, I see trouble brewing for the company,” said Dalen who was speaking during the Meatco annual producer awards held last week. It is his view that the meat industry of a country can only be successful if the farmers feel included in the processes.
“This is the most essential component of any value chain. Without cattle there is no meat industry,” he said. “Include your farmers and treat them with respect.”
Dalen has been on an official visit to Botswana and Namibia and says the two countries have much in common.
Having been in the meat industry since the 80s, he has also served on several national boards for producers and cooperatives and was also involved in policy creation for the meat industry in Norway.
He currently serves on the board of the Norwegian meat cooperative, Nortura.
“Both Namibia and Botswana are in the process of privatising their meat companies which are currently parastatals and this is a good thing.
However, producers must be included in this process from day one. They have to have some say over the future to ensure a sustainable industry. I can only advise you but remember, the clock is ticking,” he warned.
He said Meatco's producers must organise themselves, adding that this is the only way they will be able to reach any kind of negotiations table where the transformation of the industry is being discussed.
“But you are doing better than Botswana. Your paperwork is in place and as far back as 2013 you came together to turn Meatco into a cooperative. This is good but I see bottlenecks ahead.”
He told producers that it is his dream to see a meat industry managed by the producers and one that is a powerful role player in the local meat industry.
Regarding Norwegian imports, meat from the SADC market remains a firm favourite Dalen said.
“We import 17% of our prime cuts market from SADC. The value of these cuts from Namibia stood at N$300 million last year. Even if this only represents 5% of what Meatco produced, it is at least 20% of the total value.”
Nortura has an annual turnover of N$35 billion and has 90 000 members and exemplifies a well-functioning cooperative.
“It has given farmers the opportunity to grab market share and to exercise influence over the prices received for their products. Competition is also only good if the industry is owned by the producers in a cooperative format and not in a private company format, otherwise prices will drop.”
ELVIRA HATTINGH
Gunnar Dalen, who is also a farmer and politician, has advised the Namibian authorities against sidelining local producers.
“Should arguments and friendly submissions fail, producers of Meatco must stand together to make themselves heard otherwise, I see trouble brewing for the company,” said Dalen who was speaking during the Meatco annual producer awards held last week. It is his view that the meat industry of a country can only be successful if the farmers feel included in the processes.
“This is the most essential component of any value chain. Without cattle there is no meat industry,” he said. “Include your farmers and treat them with respect.”
Dalen has been on an official visit to Botswana and Namibia and says the two countries have much in common.
Having been in the meat industry since the 80s, he has also served on several national boards for producers and cooperatives and was also involved in policy creation for the meat industry in Norway.
He currently serves on the board of the Norwegian meat cooperative, Nortura.
“Both Namibia and Botswana are in the process of privatising their meat companies which are currently parastatals and this is a good thing.
However, producers must be included in this process from day one. They have to have some say over the future to ensure a sustainable industry. I can only advise you but remember, the clock is ticking,” he warned.
He said Meatco's producers must organise themselves, adding that this is the only way they will be able to reach any kind of negotiations table where the transformation of the industry is being discussed.
“But you are doing better than Botswana. Your paperwork is in place and as far back as 2013 you came together to turn Meatco into a cooperative. This is good but I see bottlenecks ahead.”
He told producers that it is his dream to see a meat industry managed by the producers and one that is a powerful role player in the local meat industry.
Regarding Norwegian imports, meat from the SADC market remains a firm favourite Dalen said.
“We import 17% of our prime cuts market from SADC. The value of these cuts from Namibia stood at N$300 million last year. Even if this only represents 5% of what Meatco produced, it is at least 20% of the total value.”
Nortura has an annual turnover of N$35 billion and has 90 000 members and exemplifies a well-functioning cooperative.
“It has given farmers the opportunity to grab market share and to exercise influence over the prices received for their products. Competition is also only good if the industry is owned by the producers in a cooperative format and not in a private company format, otherwise prices will drop.”
ELVIRA HATTINGH
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article