The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) reports an annual trade surplus of N$3 billion in food items from November 2023 to November 2024, with an average monthly surplus of N$243.7 million.
During the period under review, exports totalled N$21.4 billion, while imports totalled N$18.2 billion, reflecting the country’s strong food export performance.
According to the NSA Trade Statistics Bulletin for November 2024, the only deficits over this period were in November 2023 with an amount of N$91.2 million in the last three months of the year 2024.
“September registered a deficit of N$139.0 million, October N$166.1 million, and the month under review recorded N$259.1 million. Moreover, the highest trade surplus of N$1.0 billion was witnessed in December 2023,” noted NSA.
This section analyses the trend of Namibia’s trade on food items (excluding live animals) following the HS commodity classification at the Chapter level.
Meanwhile, during the month under review, Namibia was a net importer of food items (excluding live animals) with a trade deficit of N$259.1 million.
“During November 2024, fish and other aquatics contributed the highest to the food basket with a share of 43.3% followed by fruits and nuts with a share of 33.2%. The top five exports from the total food basket had a share of 96.1%,” the bulletin reveals.
On the demand side, the top five imported food items (excluding live animals) accounted for 59.3% of the basket during the month under review.
“Cereals dominated the import list with a share of 24.7% while sugar and sugar confectionery took the second position having accounted for 10.3% of the food items, and residues and waste from the foods industries was the third item with 8.7%,” noted NSA.
From November 2023 to November 2024, imports of beverages recorded an average of N$325.0 million, with the highest value witnessed in October and November 2024.
“On the other hand, exports recorded an average of N$115.5 million from November 2023 to November 2024 with July 2024 having the highest value of N$190.0 million,” revealed the bulletin.
