Namibia is setting its sights on a new culinary frontier – the vast and lucrative Halal food market of the Middle East. This strategic shift comes as access to traditional European markets becomes increasingly restricted by stringent regulations and policy barriers.
“With access to the European market getting tougher by the day, now is the right time for Namibia to secure its Halal certification,” said Emma Haiyambo, Director of Research and Financial Sector Development at the Bank of Namibia. Haiyambo’s comments came during the recent 25th Annual Bank of Namibia Symposium, which explored the potential for Namibia’s agricultural sector to drive inclusive development through robust value chains.
Haiyambo pinpointed the lack of Halal certification as a major roadblock for Namibian meat producers seeking to tap into the Middle Eastern market. Halal certification verifies that meat processing adheres to Islamic dietary laws, ensuring its suitability for Muslim consumers. Products containing animals or by-products deemed “haram” (forbidden) cannot be Halal certified. Specific slaughtering methods, known as Zabihah, are also mandated under Islamic law.
“The significance of Halal certification for exporting meat to Muslim-dominated countries was clearly highlighted during Namibia’s recent exploratory missions to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar,” Haiyambo noted. “Our meat is world-renowned, and there’s global demand, but we need to make it accessible to all markets. Halal certification is a key priority moving forward.”
However, securing a foothold in the global food market comes with its own set of challenges. Haiyambo acknowledged several hurdles faced by Namibian agriculture, including limited market access for northern farmers, high transportation costs exacerbated by geographical distance, and a lack of robust external branding initiatives.
“Recurring droughts and erratic rainfall patterns continue to plague the livestock sub-sector, severely impacting the entire agricultural industry,” Haiyambo added. “Furthermore, high input prices inflate production costs across the board, regardless of the farming enterprise. The horticulture industry faces its own set of challenges, including adverse climate events like droughts and floods, coupled with high input costs and outbreaks of pests and diseases.”
Namibia’s strategic shift towards the Middle Eastern market presents both exciting opportunities and pressing challenges. By addressing these hurdles and embracing Halal certification, Namibia can potentially unlock a new era of prosperity for its agricultural sector.
