Horticultural exports on the rise

Namibian horticultural exports have more than doubled over the past seven years, increasing from 41 412 tonnes in 2016 to 86 259 tonnes this year.According to statistics from the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), the value of horticultural product exports also surged from N$674 million to over N$1.7 billion during this period.NAB CEO Fidelis Mwazi said in a presentation on opportunities for the export and import of horticultural products that 50% of Namibia’s fresh fruits and vegetables are exported to African countries.The rest are exported to countries such as the United States (30%), the United Kingdom (16%) and the Far East (2%).Mwazi said Namibia produced fruit valued at N$13.7 million over the past year, compared to N$268 million in fruit imports.Additionally, vegetables worth N$313 million were produced, while imports were valued at N$255 million.The 48.9 tonnes of grape exports accounted for more than N$1.2 billion in value for horticulture exports during 2022–2023.ImportsMwazi said horticultural products imported during 2022–2023 amounted to 28 911 tonnes, valued at more than N$326 million.The top 15 imported products account for 92% of this, including potatoes (34%), onions (17%), carrots (11%), butternuts (6%) and tomatoes (6%).However, compared to the previous financial year, horticultural imports decreased from the 66 823 tonnes imported during 2021-2022.At homeMwazi said their target is to achieve 60% of the market share promotion (MSP) scheme by 2025.The MSP is a growth-at-home strategy implemented by the NAB, aiming to stimulate horticultural production in Namibia and promote the sale of locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables. This is achieved by encouraging importers, such as wholesalers, catering companies and retailers, to source locally.The scheme requires importers of fresh fruit and vegetables to procure Namibian horticultural products equivalent to at least the minimum percentage factor in monetary value per quarter. This factor is determined and approved by the NAB board on the recommendation of the National Horticulture Advisory Committee.The implementation of the MSP scheme is funded through horticulture levies. The NAB collects a 1.4% levy on sales from local producers, 5% on horticulture imports and 1.4% from traders as a general purchasing levy.Successful interventionThe minimum MSP currently stands at 47%, serving as a prerequisite for obtaining an import permit. This means that only traders or importers who have achieved the minimum MSP are allowed to import horticultural products without restrictions.Initially, the MSP started at 5% in 2005. However, the intervention led to an increase in local fruit and vegetable production to the current 47%.Mwazi said the mandate of the NAB is to promote the agronomic industry and to facilitate the production, processing, storage and marketing of controlled products in Namibia.It aims to be a world-class regulator of a vibrant, diversified and sustainable crop industry.

Horticultural exports on the rise

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-31

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Horticultural exports on the rise

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-31

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