Namibia is set to utilise Botswana’s unused share of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Norwegian beef export quota after Botswana transferred part of its allocation following foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) restrictions that prevented exports to the premium European market.
Acting Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) Chief Executive Officer Albertus Aochamub said the additional allocation would enable Namibia to meet strong export demand while ensuring the quota remains within SACU.
“The Norwegian quota closes at the end of December. Last year Namibia was able to meet its obligations, while Botswana was not. This year Botswana is unable to utilise its allocation, and they have given Namibia the remainder of their quota to execute on their behalf,” Aochamub said during a briefing to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare at the Meatco abattoir in Windhoek.
He said Namibia expects to fully utilise the additional allocation within the next two months.
The transfer follows continued over-utilisation of Namibia’s Norwegian beef quota as export demand exceeds the country’s allocated volumes.
As of 8 July 2026, Namibia’s quota utilisation reached 122% in June, with exports totalling 1.41 million kilograms, exceeding the monthly allocation by 257,667 kg.
The June figures followed 107% utilisation in May, when exports reached 1.24 million kg, reinforcing industry calls for the Norwegian quota to be renegotiated to better reflect growing demand.
Following an update from the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), 50% of Botswana’s unused quota, equivalent to 459,688 kg, has been transferred to Namibia.
Under the existing quota-sharing arrangement, 75% of the transferred allocation, or 344,766 kg, will be allocated to Meatco, offsetting the company’s cumulative over-utilisation of 333,353 kg and leaving a balance of 11,413 kg.
The Norwegian quota is one of Namibia’s most valuable premium beef export opportunities, providing duty-preferential access to a high-value European market.
During the visit, Aochamub also briefed the Prime Minister on Meatco’s financial position ahead of the company’s annual general meeting next week, where management is expected to present its financial performance and operational outlook.
He said Meatco is also advancing implementation of its Northern Communal Areas (NCA) roadmap following a recent board meeting in Rundu.
“We have agreed on a clear roadmap on how to support farmers, but also simultaneously what we need to do technically as a business to run efficiently,” Aochamub said.
