Farmer’s Meat Mariental abattoir operations set to discontinue
Hartlief has taken the difficult decision to permanently close Farmers Meat Mariental abattoir due to sustained financial losses, rising procurement costs and tough international export conditions.
Hartlief has taken the difficult decision to permanently close Farmers Meat Mariental abattoir due to sustained financial losses, rising procurement costs and tough international export conditions.
The decision follows an extensive strategic review aimed at protecting the long-term sustainability of the broader business.
“We deeply regret having to close Farmers Meat. Since we reopened the business in 2022, the goal was to build a viable export business supporting Namibian sheep producers and creating lasting jobs. Unfavourable exchange rates, high procurement costs, limited access to premium markets and international prices that fail to cover production costs made continued operations unsustainable,” said Sven Thieme, executive chairman of OL and managing director of Hartlief.
Despite significant shareholder investment and every effort to turn performance around, the abattoir incurred losses year on year since reopening, including an estimated N$26 million loss for the financial year ending June 2026.
Thieme also expressed great sorrow over the impact of this decision on the abattoir’s 19 permanent and 83 temporary employees, emphasising that supporting these individuals is the company’s immediate priority.
“The greatest sadness in decisions like these is always the profound personal impact on our people. It is truly heartbreaking that, despite our people’s commitment and hard work since re-opening in 2022, the harsh realities of the numerous external factors make it impossible to continue as there is simply no clear path to profitability.”
In support of those affected, Hartlief is actively exploring priority redeployment across the business and the wider OL Group for all eligible employees and working tirelessly to assist everyone through this difficult time.
Following the final wind-down activities on 30 September 2026, management will assess future strategic uses for the Mariental facility and equipment.
Hartlief was acquired by the Ohlthaver & List (OL) Group on 11 November 2019 when OL obtained majority shareholding in Hartlief Corporation Ltd.
Hartlief specialises in the manufacturing and supply of value-enhanced, exceptional meat products from-farm-to-fork, also supplying products to South Africa and other African countries.
The facility suffered a major setback in August 2020 when a severe multi-year drought across southern Namibia forced a complete suspension of commercial operations.
The prolonged rainfall shortage caused widespread herd de-stocking, leaving local farmers without enough slaughter-ready sheep to supply the plant.
Operating drastically below capacity generated unsustainable financial losses until OL and Hartlief intervened with substantial financial backing.
Through a N$3 million cash injection for facility upgrades to international export standards and N$ 40 million in working capital, the abattoir resumed commercial operations in November 2022, culminating in its official grand reopening on 3 August 2023.
