Martin Endjala
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) has announced it will allocate a portion of the Norwegian beef production and export quota to local abattoirs.
According to an invitation notice seen by the Windhoek Observer, the quota will be awarded to eligible organisations approved for beef production and export to Norway.
The quota is valid for 12 months, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
“The sharing and allocation of the 1,600 tons of beef quota will be done in accordance with the principles outlined in the Government Approved Norway Quota Allocation Model of 14 May, as well as the LLPBN Norway Quota Implementation Rules of 29 August,” read the notice.
Responding to questions on Monday, LLPBN marketing manager Desmond Cloete said only abattoirs with Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) approval as export facilities may apply.
“For one to qualify for export status, such a facility must comply with a list of requirements set out by the DVS. Only eligible Namibian abattoirs or operators will be selected,” Cloete said.
Cloete further encouraged new entrants who meet the requirements to apply. The closing date is 11 October.
“Any Namibian that complies with the set qualification criteria may apply; in many cases, producers qualify by supplying cattle to such approved facilities,” he added.
Interested organisations are required to submit statutory documents proving the incorporation of a legal entity along with their applications.
They must also provide a cover letter motivating the quota award, stating the total tonnage applied for, historical slaughter numbers, and beef export volumes that demonstrate the capacity to export the requested tonnage.
Existing beneficiaries of the quota must disclose full details of consignments, including LLPBN permit numbers for shipments undertaken and cleared in 2024, among other requirements.
Namibia and Botswana share an annual 3,200-tonne beef export quota to Norway under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and the trade agreement between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the European Free-Trade Association (EFTA).
The Norway quota is equally divided between Namibia and Botswana and remains a crucial and lucrative market for both countries’ beef industries.
In 2022, Meatco received the majority of the Norwegian quota, securing 1,200 tonnes, while BeefCor received the remaining 400 tonnes. Over the years, Meatco has been the leading supplier for Namibia, delivering 10,400 tonnes to the Norwegian market between 2013 and 2020.
