…tomatoes generate N$24.5 million, onions N$15.2 million
Namibia generated N$158.3 million from date exports in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 69.9% of the country’s total horticulture export earnings of N$226.3 million during the period.
According to the Namibia Agriculture and Fishing Indicators Statistical Bulletin, strong date exports helped push overall horticulture export earnings up 51.3% year-on-year, from N$149.6 million recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
Dates were by far Namibia’s largest horticultural export during the quarter, followed by tomatoes at N$24.5 million, onions at N$15.2 million and pumpkins, squashes and gourds at N$9.3 million. Other horticultural products generated about N$19 million.
“In the second quarter of 2026, Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$226.3 million compared to N$149.6 million that was exported in the same quarter of 2025. This translated to an increase of 51.3 percent,” the report said.
South Africa was the main destination for Namibia’s horticulture exports, accounting for 55.3% of the total. The United Kingdom followed with 13.5%, while the United States accounted for 5.4%.
Dates were the main horticultural commodity exported to all three markets.
Despite the increase in export earnings, Namibia continued to import more horticultural products than it exported during the quarter.
Horticulture imports rose by 4.6% year-on-year to N$332.1 million, from N$317.4 million in the corresponding quarter of 2025, leaving the country with a horticulture trade deficit of N$105.8 million.
“During the period under review, the import bill for horticulture products was valued at N$332.1 million, an increase of 4.6 percent, when compared to N$317.4 million that was recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025,” the report said.
Potatoes were the largest identified horticultural import at N$51.9 million, followed by apples at N$31.3 million, tea leaves at N$16.9 million and bananas at N$12.6 million. Other products accounted for N$219.5 million.
South Africa supplied 92.6% of Namibia’s horticulture imports during the quarter
