Namibia recorded an average trade surplus of N$418 million on food items between December 2024 and December 2025, according to the latest trade bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency.
The period was characterised by sustained positive trade balances, with the surplus peaking at N$792 million in July 2025. Additional highs were recorded in December 2024 at N$621 million and in June 2025 at N$618 million. No trade deficits in food items were recorded during the period under review.
In December 2025, Namibia was a net exporter of food, posting a trade surplus of N$870 million. In contrast, the country was a net importer of beverages during the same month, recording a trade deficit of N$203 million.
“The month under review saw the country recording a trade surplus on food items valued at N$870 million. The surplus was mainly attributed to exports of fish and fruits and nuts, which amounted to N$940 million and N$808 million, respectively,” the NSA said.
Data for December 2025 show that fish and other aquatic invertebrates contributed the largest share of food exports at 43.4%, followed by fruits and nuts at 37.3%. Meat and edible meat offal ranked third, accounting for 12.4% of food exports.
The top five food export categories collectively accounted for 96.3% of total food exports during the month.
On the import side, cereals dominated the food import basket with a 15.0% share. Sugar and sugar confectionery and animal or vegetable fats and oils followed, accounting for 11.8% and 10.6% of imports, respectively. The top five imported food items together accounted for 54.9% of total food imports in December 2025.
Meanwhile, imports of beverages averaged N$342 million between December 2024 and December 2025, with October 2025 recording the highest monthly import value of N$677 million.
“During the same period, beverage exports averaged N$96 million, with November 2025 recording the highest export value at N$179 million, while the lowest value of N$51 million was recorded in September 2025,” the NSA said.
