A total of N$4 billion in fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates were exported in the first quarter of 2023, up from N$3.1 billion in the same period last year, recent data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) reveals.
According to the NSA Agriculture, and fishing indicators Statistical Bulletin, fish was mainly destined to Spain accounting for a share of 32.9%, followed by Zambia with a share of 16.2% and the Democratic Republic of Congo in third place demanding a share of 12.0% of the total fish export.
“Fish products during the review quarter attracted export earnings of N$4 billion, an expansion of N$910.3 million when compared to the first quarter of 2022. The import bill for fish products for the same period however reduced to N$167.9 million,” said NSA Statistician General and CEO Alex Shimuafeni.
The Bulletin shows the total landings quota species declined by 22.2%, recording 87,472 metric tonnes compared to an increase of 10.4% (112,450 metric tonnes) that was recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022.
“All fish species registered declines in landings during the period under review. Horse Mackerel recorded the highest landings of 43,346 metric tonnes, followed by 41,155 metric tons of Hake landings and Monk in third place with 1,672 metric tonnes,” it reads.
In terms of imports, NSA notes that during the first quarter of 2023, the country demanded fish valued at N$167.9 million down from N$193.5 million that was posted in the first quarter of 2022.
Fish products for the period under review were mainly imported from Morocco (19.4%), Chile (17.6%) and the United States of America (14.1%).
“The trade of fish products recorded surpluses for the entire period under consideration, improving from N$2.9 billion witnessed in the first quarter of 2022 to N$3.8 billion recorded during the first quarter,” Shimuafeni said.
Meanwhile, he noted that Namibia controlled agronomy products recorded during the period increased by 8.1% to 2,095 tonnes, compared to 1,939 tonnes registered in the corresponding quarter of 2022.
Maize posted the highest volumes of 1,293 tons (a share of 61.7%), while millet witnessed the highest increase of 201.0% when compared to the same period of 2022.
NSA notes that the total increase, “during the quarter under review is witnessed in millet and wheat that recorded growths of 201.0% and 10.8%, respectively. White maize on the other hand recorded a decline of 6.8%”.
Furthermore, the total export of agronomy products was valued at N$311.3 million, while the import bill for the same period amounted to N$518.3 million.
For export, maize exports were valued at N$311.1 during the review quarter. In terms of import of agronomy products, maize and wheat contributed the highest to the import bill, amounting to N$362 million and N$135.2 million, respectively.
“Angola was the main destination for Namibia agronomy products recording foreign earnings of N$311 million (a share of 99.9%). While import was mainly sourced from South Africa N$445.2 million (share of 85.9%), Latvia N$61.2 million (share of 11.8%) and India N$10.8 million (share of 2.1%),” said the bulletin.
