Namibia’s horticultural produce exports increased 26% to N$1.73 billion from April to September when compared to N$1.37 billion sold in the 2022-2023 period, latest statistics reveal.
According to the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) statistics, the export tonnage increased from 73,140 in 2022-2023 to 111,748 in 2023-2024, representing a growth of 52%.
According to NAB spokesperson Auguste Fabian, onion and tomatoes topped the list of exports accounting for 30% each, generating revenue of N$118.1 million and N$117.76 million, respectively.
Fresh and dried dates contributed 19% with a value of N$72.84 million, followed by butternuts (7%) generating an income of N$25.68 million.
Further contributing to the export basket was colour pepper (5%) with an export value of N$19.87 million.
“The growth in trade value can be attributed not exclusively to increased consumption, but also an increase in prices driven by prevailing market dynamics,” said Fabian.
In addition, Fabian said exports outweighed import value, with only products worth N$278.13 million imported in 2023-2024 period, although an increase from N$222.75 million was recorded in the 2022-2023 financial year.
Meanwhile, local consumption accounted for N$202.25 million in 2023/2024, an upsurge from N$163.88 million in 2022/2023.
“Potatoes and fruits take up the largest portion of our import basket, although we are still compiling the rest of the data,” she said.
“Overall, the industry performance picked up as a result of enhanced local production. Thus in 2024, we anticipate a further increase in production, driven by ongoing projects such as the cultivation of blueberries in Divundu, Kavango East region, as well as Kombsberg in the South. This will further be increased by the expansion of the soft citrus production.”
In addition, Fabian said there is a projected increase in potato production due to interventions by NAB and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, aimed at facilitating farmers’ access to quality seeds.
