CSC to start goat meat exports

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Cold Storage Company (CSC) is ready to start goat meat exports depending on the farmers’ ability to deliver prescribed quantities required by various markets, an official said.

Speaking at a goat training workshop at Matopos Research Station on Thursday last week, CSC’s Bulawayo abattoir manager, Mr Willard Zvayita said the meat processing and marketing company had the capacity and requisite state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities to slaughter and package goat meat for exports.

He said CSC had identified lucrative markets for goat meat but needed assurance from producers to consistently supply substantial quantities to meet the exports demand.

“Our target is to export. We intend to target countries such as Angola, Kuwait, Dubai and Indonesia because we have since gathered that there is a market there. However, the missing link has been having organised farmers to deliver the goats to us so that we determine the supply chain because when you are dealing with export one needs to have predetermined volumes as well as specified time-lines,” said Mr Zvayita.

He said goat producers should form consortiums so as to deliver their small stock in bulk.

“The producers should organise themselves into consortiums so as to supply us with viable volumes because on the export markets we will be competing with strong brands.

“We have the expertise and skills, abattoir and we have been on the export market before trading in beef. We are also Halal certified, all this just goes to show how ready we are for the export market,” said Mr Zvayita.

Halal food has been prepared according to Islamic law, and is free from pork products, alcohol and certain other ingredients.

Speaking at the same occasion, ZimTrade Matabeleland regional manager, Mr Similo Nkala reiterated that there was need for goat producers that anticipate venturing into export to form consortiums so as to fully satisfy market demand.

“There is need for farmers that anticipate exporting to form consortiums because there is no way an individual farmer can do so because of the large volumes involved. There is also a need for the farmers to work in liaison with institutions such as Matopos Research Station and the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to ensure they get the right yield in terms of meat quality required.

“Farmers should also be aware of a number of import requirements, the bill of entry or airway bill, an original Health Certificate approved by the governmental health authority at the country of origin as well as consignment packing list. There will also be a need for more Halal certified abattoirs to meet that particular market’s requirements and any other certificates which might be required in case of any international epidemics . . . ,” said Mr Nkala.

Matabeleland North ZCFU project co-ordinator Mr Dingani Ndlovu said the high turnout by farmers from various parts of the country at the training workshop signified the growing interest in goat production.

“The training workshop was overwhelmingly attended. It’s an indication that goat production is drawing a lot of attention among farmers in Matabeleland region. We also had farmers coming all the way from Manicaland and Midlands. All this shows a growing appetite for goat production,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu also urged farmers that intend to embark on exports to form consortiums and approach CSC, as the company had internationally set standards, which suit export requirements.

“We however, realised that there is a knowledge gap in the production of goats and it justifies us as extension officers to be on the ground to build capacity of farmers to produce goats of high quality and quantities.

“We urge farmers to engage CSC on exports because it has high slaughtering and control standards. It is also better than other abattoirs in terms of trustworthiness. It will follow regulations over a long period . . . ,” he said.

Ethiopia is the biggest exporter in Africa exporting $97 million worth of goat meat annually. It has a goat population of more than 20 million which is about 15 percent of the African head. It also boasts of six export abattoirs.

@DNsingo