By Daniel Itai.
Windhoek, Namibia. (News of The South) -Namibia has become the first African country to export red meat to the United States after it sent 25 tonnes of beef.
The country’s deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the export of Namibian beef, through the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) to the United States is a great achievement in the advancement of Namibia’s economic diplomacy.
“In 2002 and again in 2005, the government of Namibia initiated negotiations on the export of meat products to the United States, with the intention to exporting boneless raw beef products such as primal cuts, chuck, blade, and beef trimming. 18 years later, we are able to finally export meat to the lucrative and big US market.
I think this may be one of the longest protocols ever that the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of USA and the Namibian Directorate of Veterinary Service (DVS) had taken to ensure that all technical areas are cleared and are in accordance with various established protocols. It is said, nothing good comes easy, today Namibia is proud of this achievement,” said the deputy Prime Minister.
Namibia is set set to export 860 tonnes of various beef cuts in 2020 to the United States, rising to 5 000 tonnes by 2025.
In 2019, Namibia exported about 12 400 metric tonnes of meat to Norway, Britain, the European Union and Chinese markets.
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