Namibia’s fish exports surged to N$1.253 billion in April 2024, ranking as the third most valuable export behind minerals, latest data reveals.
Notably, fish is the only non-mineral product to make it into the top five exports, according to Simonis Storm data.
Simonis Storm Junior Economist Halleluya Ndimulunde said the N$1.253 billion represents 13.1% of the country’s total exports for the month.
“Fish exports have shown some fluctuation earlier in the year: in January, they were N$1,270 million (10.6% of total exports); February saw an increase to N$1,377 million (22.4% of total exports); and March recorded N$1,294 million (15.8% of total exports),” she said.
In April 2024, the firm noted that fish inflation was recorded at 6.7% y/y, a deceleration from 12.0% in March 2024 and 8.8% y/y in April 2023.
Ndimulunde said this represents the slowest rate of fish inflation since June 2023, when it was 11.7% y/y.
“The high inflation in the fish category can be attributed to the increased prices of fresh, chilled and frozen fish, as well as dried, smoked, and salted fish and seafood,” she said.
Although still relatively high, Ndimulunde said there has been a downward trend in fish inflation since its peak in January 2024.
Meanwhile, in terms of horticulture for the period of 1-30 June 2024, the Namibian Agronomic Board has designated specific agricultural products under closed and open border categories as part of their special controlled products initiative.
During this period, the importation of various vegetables will be restricted under the closed border policy.
These vegetables include beetroot, butternut, cabbage, English cucumber, coloured pepper, green pepper, gem squash, onion, pumpkin, cocktail tomato, round tomato and spinach.
Ndimulunde said this measure is designed to protect local producers by reducing foreign competition and promoting domestic production.
Conversely, the open border policy will apply to carrots, washed potatoes, sweet potatoes, watermelon, sweet melon, sweetcorn, and lettuce, allowing for their unrestricted importation. This is likely due to domestic production shortfalls or high demand that local supply alone cannot meet.
Additionally, jam tomatoes will be regulated on a pro-rata basis, balancing between local production and import needs.
“These measures reflect the Board’s strategic approach to maintaining a stable and sustainable agricultural sector in Namibia,” she said.
