Namibia’s grape exports soared to N$1.29 billion in the final quarter of 2024, following four consecutive quarters of below-average performance, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The surge was driven by N$815.4 million in export earnings recorded in December, with the majority of shipments destined for the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In stark contrast, during the same period in 2023, Namibia’s grape export earnings stood at only N$7.7 million.
No grape exports were recorded in the first quarter of 2024, while the second and third quarters saw minimal earnings of N$6.2 million combined.
The NSA reported that Namibia’s strong grape exports also boosted the country’s overall horticultural trade. “Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$1.39 billion compared to N$1.35 billion in the same quarter of 2023. This translated to an increase of 3.3%,” the agency stated.
Tomatoes and watermelons ranked as the second and third most exported horticultural products in the fourth quarter of 2024, valued at N$23.2 million and N$17.2 million, respectively.
“The Netherlands was the main export destination for horticulture during the fourth quarter of 2024, accounting for 36.6%, followed by the United Kingdom (23.8%), and finally Germany, which accounted for 9.3%,” NSA stated.
Meanwhile, Namibia imported horticultural goods worth N$328.7 million in the same period, slightly lower than the N$338.1 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“Potatoes were the highest imported product, amounting to N$47.3 million, followed by apples (N$34.8 million), tea leaves (N$14.8 million), ‘vegetable seeds, except beet seeds’ (N$14.6 million), and bananas (N$13.4 million). Horticulture products were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 95.7% during the period under review,” the NSA said.
The latest data underscores the vital role of horticulture in Namibia’s export economy, particularly the dominance of grapes in boosting trade earnings.
