Farmers Meat Mariental abattoir to close after N$26 million loss

This decision follows the permanent closure of its Hartlief Shop & Bistro in Windhoek on 15 July. Sven Thieme, Ohlthaver & List Group OL executive chairman and Hartlief managing director, stated that the company had attempted to make the abattoir financially sustainable, but it has suffered losses every year since resuming operations in 2022. Factors contributing to the closure include rising livestock procurement costs, unfavorable exchange rates, limited access to premium export markets, and international prices that do not cover production costs.

The closure will affect 102 workers, comprising 19 permanent and 83 temporary employees. Thieme expressed sadness over the impact on employees and mentioned that Hartlief is exploring opportunities to move eligible staff to other positions within the company and the wider OL Group. The abattoir will complete its final wind-down activities by 30 September, after which management will consider alternative uses for the facility and its equipment.

Farmers Meat Mariental became part of Hartlief in 2005 and later joined the OL Group in 2019. Commercial operations were suspended in August 2020 due to drought, but resumed in November 2022 after a N$3 million investment in upgrades and N$40 million in working capital. The abattoir recorded an operating loss of N$17.5 million during the 2024 finan