Namibia earned N$4.4 billion from exporting agriculture, forestry and fishing commodities during the fourth quarter of 2022 while the country’s import bill stood at N$1.2 billion, latest data shows.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s Agricultural report, fisheries products accounted for the highest foreign earnings at N$2.4 billion followed by the agriculture commodities that brought income of N$1.6 billion.
The data shows that total landings of quota species stood at 43,504 metric tons for the period under review compared to 69,857 metric tonnes recorded during the prior comparative quarter.
According to the statistics agency, 33,918 tons of controlled cereal crops were produced during the quarter as opposed to 23,596 metric tons recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2021.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the bulk of the cattle marketed―99.3 per cent―were exported to South Africa, following the lifting of the ban of the livestock imports in September 2022.
The ban on cattle movement was aimed at curbing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak. The total number of cattle marketed stood at 55,851 heads in Q4 of 2022, which is a 3.5 per cent increase from the 53,978 cattle marketed in the corresponding quarter of 2021.
Namibia exported 63 275 tons of agricultural commodities valued at N$1.6 billion and imported 71,935 tonnes of commodities valued at N$0.7 billion.
White maize production stood at 9,314 tons in Q4 of 2022, which is an increase when compared to 5 577 tons recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2021. Whereas domestic export was recorded at 29 tons which generated earnings of N$1 million in Q4 of 2022 compared to 315 tonnes in Q4 of 2021.
White maize recorded an average staggered price of N$7,228.22 per tonnes in Q4 of 2022, compared to N$4,819.33 per tonnes recorded in Q4 of 2021. The price of maize has been on an upward trend since the fourth quarter of 2021.
Equally, wheat prices also surged to N$8,105 compared to N$6,771 in 2021.
“Of that, included, dried kernels or grain fit for human consumption, not prepared or processed, which accounted for 65.7 per cent (19 tons) with a value of N$200,000. Additionally, Maize seeds exports were 10 tons and valued at 800,000. Export of maize seed and dried kernel were entirely destined to Angola,” the report said.
On the flip side, Namibia imported 16,253 tons of maize to the tune of N$121.8 million compared to 28,044 tonnes, a slight increase to N$126.5 million that was recorded in Q4 of 2021. Dried kernels declined to 15,757 tonnes from 27,715 in the preceding year.
In relation to fruits, the production of grapes locally marketed was 162 tons, an increase from 99 tonnes recorded in the prior quarter.
The statistics agency says fresh grapes valued at N$1.1 billion with a tonnage of 42 156 were exported during the quarter under review, rising from 34,953 tonnes recorded in Q4 of 2021.
“In terms of tonnage, fresh grapes were mainly exported to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany claiming shares of 34.6 percent, 28.7 per cent, and 13.9 per cent, respectively. Similarly, import of fresh grapes increased from 59 tons in Q4 of 2021 to 64 tons in Q4 of 2022, as well as dried grapes import at 106 tonnes compared to 23 tons of 2021,” said the report.
A further economic introspection shows that Namibia exported 35 346 cattle on hoof, valued at N$276.3 million, an increase when compared to 32 129 cattle that were exported at a value of N$255.1 million in the prior quarter.
Whereas the number of small stock marketed (goats and sheep) stood at 147,007 compared to 111,302 small stock in the corresponding quarter of 2021.
Goats registered 45 231 heads whereas sheep recorded 101 776.
“A total number of 70 710 live sheep with a value of N$85.4 million was exported in Q4 of 2022, as opposed to 60 787 live sheep in 2021. In addition, the export of live goats increased from 34 189 to 43 387. The earnings generated from goat’s export stood at N$39.9 million during the period under review,” the report said.
Namibia further exported 52 333 metric tons for the products of fish and crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates at the value of N$2.4 billion compared to 53 070 metric tons.
In terms of import, 9 984 metric tons of products were recorded at a bill of N$378.7 million aggregated to 5 572 metric tons in the corresponding quarter of 2021 amounting to N$189.6 million.
Hake was the top exported species, recording 15 869 metric tons generating N$1.1 billion, followed by 30 984 metric tons of Horse mackerel valued at N$849 million. During the period under review, Dogfish and Sharks were exported with 679 metric tons valued at N$18.7 million.
In contrast, Horse Mackerel topped the list of imports, recording 2,745 metric tonne/s to the value of N$57.8 million, and in second place was Sardine recording 2 035 metric tons amounting to N$41.3 million and in third place was Tilapia registering 1,185 metric tonnes with a bill of N$22 million.
