Namibia exported the first batch of 21 tons of beef to China on March 28, seeking to diversify the country's export destinations.

At an event held in the Namibian capital, a meat processing and marketing unit, Meatco's chairman of the board Marta Namunjebo-Tilahun said the company and the country as a whole are happy to enter the alternative market.

Ms. Namunjebo-Tilahun said: “Despite the difficulties producers face, such as a falling economy and recurring drought, we would like to thank the producers for providing us with quality products.”

Charge d'Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, Yang Jun, said Namibia is the only African country to export beef to China. "This Namibian beef is high quality," he said, adding that beef exports to China should open up new potential for business and trade.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry of Namibia Alfeus Naruseb said that the first batch is irrefutable evidence of mutually beneficial relations between China and Namibia.

In 2016, Namibia and China signed an important agreement, according to which class A beef enters the huge Asian market, which will make Namibia the only country in Africa exporting beef to the Middle Kingdom.