The Mariental Abattoir, formerly known as Farmers Meat Market, will commercially resume operations this month after its closure in August 2020.

The announcement was made by the Hartlief Group, which took over operations of the abattoir after it closed in 2020 due to the low availability of sheep following the severe droughts Namibia faced since 2013.

Günther Ling, Managing Director of the Hartlief Group, announced that an increased demand for Namibian meat, combined with an increased number of animals available in the local market after two consecutive improved rain seasons, spurred the Group to reinstate the operation of the abattoir.

"The re-opening and the regional and international certification of the abattoir is a significant achievement, not only for Hartlief and the O&L Group but for Namibian small stock farmers and the country at large. This route to market for Namibian producers allows us to become an international player and export our quality Namibian lamb with pride. This new business will also enable us to better meet the need to become food secure," said Ling.

The export abattoir, which currently awaits certification to export internationally, will officially start with local and regional supply and is expected to send its first shipment to Norway in November 2022.

According to Ling, obtaining export status enables Mariental Abattoir to capitalise on the lucrative, unexplored international market as well as SADC and potentially the bigger African market, which provides great potential and growth opportunities for business and Namibia as a whole.

The Hartlief Group is a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group.