Meatco buys cattle directly

MEATCO has introduced a system of buying cattle on the hoof for cash from communal farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs).

Once a price has been mutually agreed a farmer can get his money on the spot for his cattle.

“The benefits are enormous for the farmer as the 21-day waiting period at the quarantine camps is abolished and the farmer receives his money immediately,” said John Kamati, the new public relations practitioner for the six northern regions.
“In addition, any further risks like sickness or death of animal after the transaction are transferred to Meatco.”
This system was introduced in September 2009. Until then, the South African market required that cattle from the NCAs should first be quarantined. This ban has been lifted in the meantime, making it easier for meat from the NCAs to be exported to South Africa.
The only areas that where quarantine is still required are the Mukwe and Ndiyona constituencies in the Kavango Region, as well as the whole Caprivi Region.
A foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak there was curbed towards the middle of last year, but animals from there must still be quarantined.
In further ensuring value addition, Meatco has introduced an improved vacuum-packaging system for meat products from the NCAs, some of which are exported to South Africa.
Currently it is only meat from Meatco’s Oshakati factory that is exported while meat from the Katima Mulilo abattoir is marketed locally.
“Meatco continues exploring new markets for the NCA cattle within the SADC region,” Kamati added.