The Mariental Farmers Meat Market has been officially opened.

The meat market is expected to process 55,000 sheep in 2023 and 100,000 to 170,000 sheep in 2024.

By 2025, a full production capacity of 280,000 sheep is envisioned.

This, according to O&L Group CEO Wessie Van Der Westhuizen, will necessitate additional investments.

Since the resumption of commercial operations in October 2022, over N$75 million has been paid to sheep producers between October 2022 and June 2023.

Farmers Meat Market is the biggest sheep abattoir operation in Namibia and the only approved exporter of sheep meat in the country.

The abattoir will, however, temporarily shut down from August 7 until September 4, 2023, to allow for significant maintenance, improvements, upgrades, and investment in the plant.

Van Der Westhuizen says this demonstrates unwavering dedication to the growth and prosperity of the Namibian meat industry.