Meatco assumes management of Rundu Abattoir

Following a directive from the Cabinet to revitalise the dormant abattoir, the government has handed over the management of the revamped Rundu Abattoir to the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco).

This move aims to establish an official slaughter market for farmers in the northern communal area, particularly those in the Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East and Kavango West regions.

Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said following an investment of N$40 million in refurbishments, the facility now boasts the capability to slaughter between 80 and 120 cattle a day.

Additionally, its operations have been optimised to accommodate the slaughter of small livestock as well.

“At this capacity, this facility provides a market for livestock produced not only in this region, but also from neighbouring regions. The benefits would, therefore, also accrue to farmers from Kavango West and Ohangwena,” Schlettwein said.

Many farmers in these regions could not formally market their cattle for slaughter purposes for many years due to the lack of an abattoirs capable of absorbing and slaughtering a large number of livestock per day.

Rundu Abattoir now joins the Katima Mulilo Abattoir to cater to the northern communal areas (NCAs) market needs.

“The Katima Mulilo Abattoir is already in operation and servicing the domestic and regional markets. Actions are underway to revive activity at Oshakati Abattoir, Outapi Abattoir and to upgrade the abattoir facility at Opuwo,” Schlettwein said.

Schlettwein said the revival of the Rundu Abattoir is a significant achievement in advancing the agricultural sector, particularly in the context of executing the beef value chain development programme within the NCAs .

He said the main objective of the beef value chain development programme for the NCAs is to create diversified marketing opportunities both in the domestic and export markets for meat originating in the area.

“Farmers must have an opportunity to trade with their animals and the best way is to round them up to high quality slaughter ready animals, which subsequently assure the throughput of the abattoirs,” Schlettwein said.

Meatco chief executive Mwilima Mushokabanji said the Rundu Abattoir is in good hands under Meatco’s management, adding that they will offer farmers competitive prices.

“For the remaining days as we are taking over the abattoir as operator, we will ensure that the abattoir meets (local and regional) certifications.

The challenge of the NCAs has never been production… The challenge was access to markets,” Mushokabanji said.

Moreover, the beef value chain development programme integrates dedicated infrastructure within the NCAs to facilitate both upstream and downstream connections in the beef value chain.

This infrastructure encompasses various elements, including auction kraals situated at Omuntele, Onyuulaye, Oushake, Omauni, Oshifo, Ompundja, Opuwo, Nepara, Lusese and Ncaute.

Additionally, it encompasses abattoirs located at Katima Mulilo, capable of slaughtering up to 110 cattle daily, Oshakati abattoir with a daily slaughter capacity of up to 220 cattle, as well as Outapi and Eenhana abattoirs, each equipped to handle 25 cattle daily.

Complementing these facilities, there is also a meat processing centre located at Ongwediva.

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