Uganda to export meat to EU

KAMPALA

UGANDA has partnered with the Norwegian government to develop the country’s  staggering meat industry.

Nortura BA, a Norwegian meat- company, is assisting Ugandan meat dealers to develop the industry with the hope of exporting  to the European Union and the Middle East by 2011.

"We assessed the import of beef from a Least Developed Country decided to concentrate on Uganda," Mr Gunnar Dalen, the Chairman Board of Directors Nortura BA, said.

"We have made this long-time commitment to the programme, what we want is to challenge you all to join the effort and take part in financial resources to make this programme a success," he said.

Studies
A study done by the company in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has revealed that the country has a great potential to produce meat for the export market.  

The study report titled: 'Developing an export-oriented meat industry in Uganda' released at a donor's Conference on December 7, found out that Uganda's strategic location, fertility, plus the presence of many lakes and rivers, and its climate has favoured the good livestock production.

The Minister of State for Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr Bright Rwamirama, while presenting the report in Kampala, said: "An export-oriented meat industry is expected to contribute to the national goals of reducing poverty, utilise Uganda's national resources sustainably."

Currently, meat from Uganda is prohibited from the world markets since it does not comply with international sanitary and animal health requirements. However, Mr Dalen said:  "We believe that the proposed programme will bring the Ugandan beef farmers and the meat industry a huge step closer to realising the export vision."

Nortura BA is a leading Norwegian Cooperative organisation with a share of 72 per cent of the slaughter market and 50 per cent of the retail market.

The company is owned by 3,000 farmers. It covers every aspect of meat handling with an annual turnover is about $2.5 billion (Shs4.3 trillion).
The Nortuna's Project Manager Mr Ivan Foss said managing the value chain for balance is an essential task for players in the meat industry.

The company is assisting in formation of a Uganda Farmers Meat Cooperative to address challenges farmers go through during meat processing. This will be buttressed with the establishment of the Uganda Meat Export Company (UMEC).

Currently there are no abattoirs in Uganda that could be upgraded to meet international requirements. Mr Foss said a gradual development of a national export abattoir is expected to be put up.

"All export abattoirs should be built and operated to EU standards from the outset, even if it will take some time to obtain approval for export to Europe. We warn against lax operation standards during start-up, in the hope that standards will improve later," Mr Foss said.

"We recommend abattoirs with one fully utilised slaughter line for cattle, about 125 head per day. All abattoirs should have a slaughter and a cutting line. The annual capacity will then increase from about 4,500 tonne per abattoir to about 6,500 tonne when at full capacity."

UMEC will be the principal economic operator in the export meat industry, although alternatives may be developed. The assumed production volume of the UMEC is 9,000 tonnes per year. With the increased slaughter weight and full utilization of the plants, the capacity may reach a level of 13,000 tonnes per year.

"UMEC will control slaughter, cutting and meat processing as well as the sale and distribution of meat," Mr Foss said.

Investment in abattoirs and processing plants is estimated at $14.8 million (Shs25.9 billion).