The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) improved extraction of value from cattle in the 2024/25 financial year, despite persistent drought.
According to the latest Meatco annual report, the company was able to introduce production and processing efficiencies, even with lower slaughter numbers.
“Despite persistent drought conditions, improved payment discipline and financial reliability encouraged producers to market more cattle through Meatco compared to previous drought cycles,” the report says.
Compared to a budgeted target of 105 000 cattle, Meatco slaughtered 75 268 cattle. The company reported an average carcass weight of 246kg per animal and a 55.16 dressing percentage.
“The relatively high average carcass weight and dressing percentage reflect continued improvements in production and processing efficiencies, even with the lower slaughter numbers,” the report says
In May 2024, the government declared a state of emergency on account of the drought. The 2023/24 drought was one of the worst in the century, according to environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel.
Meatco included investments in water security, such as additional boreholes, as one of its focus areas for 2025/26.
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