PRODUCTION

The total boneless production for all abattoirs during the year was 16,580 tons, which was lower than the 2007 production volume of 20,479 tons which came from a higher throughput.

Low throughput of cattle, particularly from FMD-vaccinated catchment zones, resulted in lower cannery production of 1,788 tons, when compared with the 2007 production of 2,379 tons. The largest proportion of this production (92%) went to supply the Government’s primary school feeding programme, while the rest was produced for export.

By products volumes produced were 3,261 tons and 1,629 tons at Lobatse and Francistown establishments respectively.

A number of projects were conceived through the use of crossfunctional teams. These included production of a beef specification manual, installation of variable speed fans in the carcass chillers to reduce shrink loss, and improvements to production facilities layout.Such innovative interventions will not only encourage a learning environment, but will increase efficiency, enhance product quality and optimize responsiveness to customers.

Plant availability during the year stayed high at 85% of total production time. We are continually seeking ways to further improve it through increasing equipment availability, and where possible, switching to upgraded or new production technologies.

On-going efficiency improvements at the rendering plants will not only improve rendering production volumes, but will also enhance our corporate image. The turn-key primary effluent treatment products at both plants will recover from plant effluent useful solid and fat material for rendering production.

Production facilities and process layouts are being continually studied to accommodate new and future customer product requirements. This is coupled with a gradual increase in the range of auto-controls by taking responsibility over activities that were previously conducted by the regulatory services.

Production Quantities for All Abattoirs

                                                                   2008      2007

Boneless Beef                        tons       16,580      20,479
Offals                                        tons       1,859         2,405
By-Products                             tons       4,890         7,716
Corned Beef                            tons       208            17
Corned Meat                            tons       420            550
Canned Tongue                      tons       59             76
Stewed Steak with Gravy       tons       1,027        1,566
Pet Food                                   tons       264           267
Hides (green unfleshed)       tons       3,873       3,337