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MEATCO EYES OPPORTUNITIES IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
total volume of coir almost entirely. Plants are healthy, vigorous and with a greater production potential. What is more, the production cycle of plants ends sooner and with large volumes. This year, we are expecting 30-40% more produce than in the past season.
Was it difficult to install the Smart Hydroponic Grow System?
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I was afraid it would be, but planning reduced potential difficulties to a minimum. Technicians assessed our needs and created a specific development plan also based on our objectives. Installing the coir was rather easy, as was arranging the irrigation system. Anyway Projar and Agriblu technicians have always been there for us during the risk assessment, planning and installing phases.
Would you recommend Smart Hydroponic Grow System to other companies?
The truth is I would not want to make things easy for the competition (laughs) but, to be honest, it is a turning point that leads to many advantages.
To learn more about Smart Hydroponic Grow System, download the technical guide: https:// projarinternational.com/smarthydroponic-grow-system/ Source: Fresh Plaza.com
As from February to December 2020, Meatco slaughtered 35 314 cattle compared to 115 305 in the previous year. The average producer price paid for the same period amounted to N$44.74 compared to N$44.23 in the prior year. The average carcass weight increased by 13 kgs from 229 kgs in 2019 to 242 kgs in 2020. Meatco paid out a total amount of N$ 382 million to producers over the past 11 months. In his 2021 welcoming letter, Meatco CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji revealed that these statistics represents the difficult climate in which Meatco was operating over the past years. Supply and demand dynamics played a huge part in the price paid as well as strategies implemented to obtain additional cattle. As revealed in his welcoming letter, Mwilima says that 2021 is finally setting the birth of Brexit and they believe that it can alter opportunities for Meatco in Europe and United Kingdom (UK) markets. With the onset of 2021, cattle prices in Europe remain firm while in the UK, prices started higher than the previous five-year` high points. Mwilima also revealed that, Norway will remain their key focus market with China expected to also bring its significant contribution as the only market beyond Africa that accept bone-in beef products. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue impacting Meatcos` key markets, however, the effect is mostly on the change in customer buying patterns and expanding customer base effectively. Mwilima highlighted that, the strain on the restaurant and catering industries is affecting the sustainability of such businesses, some of which are reported to have closed.
As determined to serve all Namibian farmers throughout the country, Meatco has reached out to farmers as far as Gam enabling them to market their cattle directly to Meatco which will be slaughtered at their abattoir. Mwilima stated that, Meatco shall operate the Rundu abattoir and provide technical support in the operation of Oshakati and Katima Mulilo abattoirs. The renovation of the Rundu abattoir is nearing completion and is expected to be handed over during the first quarter of this year.
