Ogone Tlhage


Savanna Beef Processors (SBP) has announced that it now plans to begin exporting beef to the European Union (EU) by 1 June 2026, marking its anticipated entry into the high-value European market. The company had initially targeted February 2026 but has extended the timeline by three months, it said in an update to shareholders this week.


“From 1 June 2026, we plan to be at full staff complement, operating at full capacity, and — subject to final EU approval — holding EU export status,” SBP stated, following the outcome of a recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) slaughter audit conducted last month.


According to the notice, the SADC audit is an essential prerequisite for progressing to the full EU export status audit and, ultimately, being listed as an approved EU exporter. The Competent Authority has indicated that the final SADC audit report will be issued within 15–20 working days, meaning official results are expected by mid-December 2025.


“After careful consideration of the above timeline and the minor recommendations received, the Board of Directors has decided to move the Declaration of Slaughter Rights to the board meeting scheduled for mid-February 2026,” the company added.


SBP assured shareholders that the revised timeline is necessary to ensure full compliance with EU standards and to secure export approval.


“You, our shareholders and producers, will be the very first to know the moment we receive EU export status and the exact date on which the Slaughter Rights system will become fully operational. We commit to communicating these milestones well in advance,” the company said.


Slaughter rights and


supply ratios


In its update, SBP clarified its slaughter rights structure for producers. Farmers who hold 5 333 shares will be entitled to supply one animal per year. The originally planned 4 000:1 ratio will only take effect from the start of the new financial year in March 2027.


Savanna Beef has been slaughtering 10–15 head of cattle per day. This controlled start-up phase has allowed us to steadily build critical processing data while training staff on both the slaughter floor and the deboning lines.


On 27 October 2025, Savanna Beef officially took ownership of the site and abattoir. “We received the formal Taking-Over Certificate from the construction company, signed off by the consulting engineer, confirming that the facility meets all contractual specifications,” SBF said.


The project’s financing comprises N$200 million invested by approximately 730 producer shareholders, N$40 million from international investors, N$150 million in construction loans, and N$86 million through financial leasing. The main engineering, procurement, and construction contract amounts to N$352 million, with additional site infrastructure bringing total capital expenditure to N$417.5 million.


Located on a 25-hectare site, the facility includes a newly commissioned power plant to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, as well as a water treatment and reclamation plant now nearing completion. SBP has also emphasised that no effluent will leave the premises, with plans to assess the feasibility of a rendering plant once full operations commence.