“It is Devastating to Our Clients and Bank Balance; we are Left with Empty Fridges”
Photo: Namaqua Meat Market Swakopmund (Facebook). For illustration purposes only
The recent outbreak of Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the //Karas Region, leading to a national movement ban on cloven-hoofed animals and temporary export suspensions, has meat suppliers quickly running out of stock.
According to Charlene Hartung of Benguela Butchery in Swakopmund, they quickly ran out of stock with people panic buying. This well-known Swakopmund butchery and meat products supplier also couldn’t do their regular deliveries to towns like Walvis Bay, Windhoek and Rehoboth, which put their bank balance under more pressure. “This is devastating to our clients – and our bank balance. In the 29 years of our existence, this has never happened,” Hartung remarked. She further noted that with no trimmings, the basics like boerewors, mince and lamb ran out the same day of the announcement. Currently, they have minimal stock with no pork deliveries, thus viennas, polonies, and Russians are in short supply. “Customers are understanding, as the situation is out of our hands.
At this point, we must buy whatever stock we can get from abattoirs, and that puts enormous pressure on our cash flow,” says Hartung. She further remarked that Benguela Butchery is responsible for 70 households. (they have 70 employees). “I have no idea what to do but continue praying the situation changes. We do, however, sell other products, like chicken, fish, and bread. But that will not be sufficient to service our clients and will make no difference to when it comes to paying bills and salaries,” an overwhelmed Hartung continued. She noted that they understand the actions the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS)took when the outbreak was detected and are of meaning that the situation was handled as well as they (DVS) could.
According to her, communication was also swift, which was good. For now, slaughtering cannot continue, which will continue to have devastating effects, as abattoirs are now running low on available stock too. The DVS has reportedly inspected tens of thousands of animals across multiple farms to trace contacts and contain the spread. Authorities have also strongly urged farmers not to vaccinate animals or move livestock without direct official veterinary guidance. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) which is Namibia’s largest market for beef exports temporarily suspended imports of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat from Namibia, starting 6 October 2026, which will have a huge impact on the country’s economy.
Meatco this week announced that they are expecting to resume slaughtering around 23 October 2026 as animals complete the mandatory 3-day quarantine period, With Beefcor Meat Suppliers issuing a notice that up to 393 employees could be affected by proposed retrenchments at its export abattoir in Okahandja.
By Marshallino Beukes
