February 24, 2020

Namibia becomes first country in Africa to export beef to US

Namibia has exported 25 tonnes of beef to Philadelphia, United States, making it the first African country to export beef to the United States after 20 years of negotiations due to logistics and safety rules, reported Reuters.

Meatco, a state-owned meat firm, will export a further 860 tonnes of different beef cuts this year to the United States, with a total of 5,000 tonnes to be exported by 2025. Exports include frozen and chilled boneless and raw beef cuts.

The exports will benefit from African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) duty-free regime.

The African country is best known for free-range, hormone-free cattle.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the United States is the world's biggest consumer of beef per head at 120 kg of meat per person.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia's Minister of International Relations said the meat exports will target the United States' fast food industry. 

The latest shipment to Philadelphia is the first commercial export after samples were provided to US laboratories for test over the last two years.

Cattle raising accounts for two thirds of Namibia's population's income.

Namibia has existing export deals with Norway, Britain, the European Union and China, exporting a total of 12,400 tonnes of meat in 2019.

-      Reuters