The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) says the import of cereal grains was valued at N$655.7 million during the second quarter of 2024, 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 at N$232.6 million and rice at 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%),” said NSA.
Meanwhile, 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% 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%),” said NSA.
The total agronomy production, which includes millet, white maize, and wheat, stood at 22 108 tons in the second quarter of 2024 compared to 21 953 tons registered in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
“This translates into a marginal 0.7% increase in the production level. This increase is attributed to white maize, which recorded a growth of 1.1% as the production of white maize stood at 21 889 tons (a share of 99.0%) compared to 21 648 tons recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023,” said NSA.
Millet recorded production of 219 tons, and there was no production of wheat during the period under review.
On the other hand, Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$139.1 million, a slight decrease from N$167.8 million that was exported in the same quarter of 2023.
“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,” said NSA.
South Africa was the main export destination for horticulture, accounting for 58.9%. Angola, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom accounted for 8.7%, 8.4%, and 8.1%, respectively, during the period under review.
“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),” said the NSA.
The import bill for horticulture products in the second quarter of 2024 was 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),” noted the agency.
Horticulture products were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 97.1% during the period under review.
