In the first quarter of 2024, Namibia’s imports of cereal grains were valued at N$587.3 million, an increase from N$518.3 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), maize was the highest grain imported with a value of N$405.1 million, followed by wheat (N$163.6 million) and rice (N$7.8 million).
The cereal grains were mainly sourced from South Africa (72.6%), Latvia (26.7%) and India (0.3%).
NSA also reports that the total agronomy production in the first quarter of 2024 stood at 2 860 tons compared to 2 095 registered in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
“This represents an increase of 36.5 percent in production level. This increase is attributed to white maize that recorded a strong growth of 70.3 percent. During the quarter under review, white maize stood at 2 203 tons (a share of 77.0%) compared to 1 293 tons recorded in the same quarter of 2023. Production of millet and wheat recorded during the review period amounted to 187 and 471 tons, respectively.
“Total export of agronomy products was valued at N$52.8 thousand, compared to N$311.1 thousand recorded in the same quarter of 2023. Export earnings were mainly from Maize (N$52.8 thousand), accounting for 100 percent of total export earnings. Export of cereal grains were mainly destined to Angola accounting for a share of (96.2%), followed by India with (3.6%) and South Africa (0.2%),” NSA said.
HORTICULTURE
During the first quarter of 2024, locally purchased controlled fresh produce is estimated at 5 154 tons compared to 5 145 tons that was recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. Onions dominated the local purchase recording 975 tons, followed by potatoes with purchases amounting to 692 tons, and cabbage in the third position registering 470 tons. carrots (469 tons) and tomatoes (338 tons) were among the top six locally purchased domestic produce.
“Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$276.1 million, in the first quarter of 2024, higher than N$181.9 million that was exported in the corresponding quarter of 2023. Grapes were the top exported products amounting to N$196.3 million, followed by Dates (N$68.9 million), and ‘Pumpkins, squash and gourds’ came in the third place valued at N$4.4 million.
“During the period under review, United Kingdom was the main export destination of horticulture accounting 27.2 percent. Netherland, South Africa, and Germany followed second, third and fourth accounting 21.1 percent, 14.0 percent, and 10.1 percent, respectively. The main products exported to United Kingdom, Netherland, South Africa, and Germany were Grapes and dates,” NSA says.
During the first quarter of 2024, the import bill for horticulture products was valued at N$305.1 million compared to N$276.9 million that was recorded in the same quarter of 2023. Potatoes were the highest imported products amounting to N$64.2 million, followed by ‘Stimulant, spice and aromatic crops’ (N$58.2 million), Apples (N$26.7 million), ‘Vegetable seeds, except beet seeds’ (N$15.5 million) and Tea leaves (N$12.8 million). Horticulture products were mainly sourced from South Africa accounting for 97.0 percent during the first quarter.
LIVESTOCK
The total number of animals auctioned in the first quarter of 2024 increased to 109 783 animals, from 76 163 animals auctioned in the corresponding quarter of 2023. Cattle auctions during the first quarter of 2024 registered 81 516 heads, whilst auctions for goats and sheep were 14 544 heads and 13 723 heads, respectively.
Prices across all types of livestock depicted declines during the quarter under review. Cattle posted N$26.41 per kg (a reduction of 17.0 percent), followed by goats that recorded N$28.89 per kg (a 7.8 percent reduction), whereas sheep recorded N$28.52 per kg (a reduction of 11.4 percent).
FISHING
Total of quota species during the first quarter of 2024 amounted to 97 077 metric tons, a decline of 16.7 percent when compared to 116 471 metric tons recorded in the first quarter of 2023. Horse Mackerel recorded the highest landings of 49 592 metric tons, followed by Hake in second place recording 44 630 metric tons. In third place was Monk that recorded 2 119 metric tons.
“Export earnings for ‘Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates’ for the quarter under review was valued at N$4.1 billion, an increase when compared to N$4.0 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. The main export destination for ‘Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates’ for the first quarter of 2024 was Spain accounting for 29.7 percent. The main product that was exported to Spain was frozen fillets of Hake. The second and third export destinations were Zambia (16.1%) and Democratic Republic of Congo (14.1%). The main products that were exported to both countries were Horse mackerel,” explains NSA.
The Import bill for ‘Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates’ for the first quarter of 2024 stood at N$154.9 million, a decrease when compared to N$167.9 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. Products of ‘Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates’ were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 35.0 percent share for the quarter under review.
The main product imported from South Africa was Hake. In second place, United states of America accounted for 32.6 percent share. The main product that was sourced from this country was Sole. Spain was in third place accounting for 9.7 percent share of imports. Cuttle fish and Squid was the main product imported from Spain.