Namibia seeks to beef up Hong Kong's meat supply
A delegation of meat traders from the southwest African country recently met local authorities and applied to export meat to the city, Henry Chan, Namibia's honorary consul in Hong Kong, said.
Namibia wants to export meat to Hong Kong, and it will be the first African country to do so if its application is approved.
The exports would be mainly beef, he said, dismissing speculation that it would be game meat such as zebra and antelope.
"Namibian cows feed on grass rather than corn. They also roam freely on ranches," Chan said, adding that the beef, with organic certifications, ranges from mid- to top-level prices.
Namibian beef is on shelves throughout Europe, but the country is now exploring new markets because of diminishing demand in the region, he said.
The Food and Environmental Services Department confirmed it had received Namibia's application. But it was understood that exporters had first to meet stringent requirements to supply beef - a restricted food product - to Hong Kong.
There are technical difficulties involved in inspecting the hygiene conditions of farms on other continents.