During the second quarter of 2024, Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$139.1 million, about N$28 million lower when compared to N$167.8 million that was exported in the same quarter of 2023.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), dates were the top exported products, amounting to N$82.5 million, followed by tomatoes (N$22.1 million), and ‘pumpkins, squash, and gourds’ in third place with an estimated value of N$12.7 million.
“During the same period, South Africa was the main export destination for horticulture, accounting for 58.9 percent. Angola, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom accounted for 8.7 percent, 8.4 percent, and 8.1 percent, respectively. The main products exported to South Africa, Angola, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom were dates (N$82.5 million), tomatoes (N$22.1 million), ‘pumpkins, squash, and gourds’ (N$12.7 million), and onions (N$12.4 million),” the agency said.
During the second quarter of 2024, the import bill for horticulture products was valued at N$293.0 million compared to N$276.9 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. ‘Stimulant, spice, and aromatic crops’ was the highest imported product, amounting to N$60.0 million, followed by potatoes (N$52.3 million), apples (N$28.2 million), tea leaves (N$16.5 million), and bananas (N$12.7 million). Horticulture products were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 97.1 percent during the period under review.
The special controlled fresh produce includes all fruits and vegetables that are regulated by the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) through import restrictions and market share promotion schemes. Under border control, NAB ensures that no imports of fresh produce are allowed when there is sufficient domestic supply.
Likewise, the market share promotion compels buyers to source some percentage of their demand from the local market before they are given import permits. These government efforts are designed to secure markets for local producers.
During the second quarter of 2024, the locally purchased controlled fresh produce is estimated at 5 515 tonnes, compared to 5 653 tonnes recorded in the same quarter of 2023. During the period under review, onions dominated the local purchase, recording 991 tonnes, followed by potatoes with 953 ns. Butternuts was in the third position, recording 582 tonnes, and in the fourth position were cabbages, with purchases amounting to 551 ns. Tomatoes (405 tonnes) and carrots (343 tonnes) were among the top six locally purchased domestic produce.
On the other hand, the total agronomy production stood at 22 108 tonnes in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 21 953 tonnes registered in the corresponding quarter of 2023. This translates into a marginal 0.7 percent increase in the production level. This increase is attributed to white maize, which recorded a growth of 1.1 percent. In the second quarter of 2024, the production of white maize stood at 21 889 tonnes (a share of 99.0%) compared to 21 648 tonnes recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. Millet recorded production of 219 tonnes, and there was no production of wheat during the period under review.
“The total export of agronomy products in the second quarter of 2024 was valued at N$17.5 thousand, a significant decline compared to the N$96.2 thousand recorded in the same quarter of 2023. Export earnings were mainly from maize, which accounted for 98.7 percent of the total export earnings. The export of cereal grains in the second quarter of 2024 was primarily destined to Angola (97.9%) and South Africa (2.1%).”
During the second quarter of 2024, the import of cereal grains was valued at N$655.7 million, a decline from N$740.5 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. During the period under review, maize was the highest grain imported with a value of N$402.1 million, followed by wheat (N$232.6 million) and rice (N$7.0 million). The cereal grains imported during the quarter under review were mainly sourced from South Africa (65.8%), Latvia (17.9%), Russia (9.6%), and Argentina (6.0%).