Namibia may see citrus boom

While big promises for a Namibian citrus industry have aroused interest as far as in South Africa, local citrus farmers are organising themselves to take ownership of the opportunity."After thirty years, I believe we have the potential to touch this new citrus-producing area in the world, because we have the climate and all the right conditions. In ten years from now, Namibia can have 10 000 hectares of citrus orchards, which annually produce 600 000 tonnes of fruit with a value of about N$6 billion per year. "André Neethling, interim chairman of the newly formed Citrus Association of Namibia, said this while he addressed attendees of the Gloriosa Day at Grootfontein.“The demand for our product is already there; we just have to follow it up,” he said."In addition, our citrus fruit ripens three weeks before any fruit in South Africa, which can offer us a unique opportunity in world markets."If you want to invest money now, invest it in a citrus orchard," he said.He believes that in ten years&#039; time, about 15 citrus warehouses could be located in the area between Outjo, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb and Grootfontein - and perhaps as far as Stampriet."At the moment I am also working on large schemes to plant a certain number of hectares of citrus orchards, to justify a warehouse."You need a warehouse that will prepare the fruit for export markets, sorting and sales," he said."Not all of us may be able to start a big scheme, but citrus offers everyone an opportunity."Neethling urges Namibians to be alert because the opportunity also brings great interest among citrus farmers abroad.BE READYNeethling says many South African citrus farmers have an eye on Namibia and to establish citrus farms locally."Namibia is still open and unused. Namibia&#039;s climate is better because we have more solar units. The markets are moving more and more here.”The advantage of this is that the citrus farmers bring with them a large amount of expertise of as long as 150 years - which they will also willingly share with Namibians, but that Namibian farmers will have to prepare themselves for this.Neethling says the driving force behind the South African farmers are challenges such as much less political stability and citrus diseases in the neighbouring country, while many of their own orchards have become obsolete and the control over their exports has lapsed."Before these farmers plant orchards, they want to know that there is peace, security and they farm in an environment where there are no diseases."We just have to be awake. Let&#039;s lay down the rules and get the benefit of this whole movement,” he says."We have a fantastic climate for citrus farming. We are sitting here in the Karstveld, which is a primordial source of water."Let us use it, because if we do not do it, others want it," he said.It is also for this reason that local citrus farmers have decided to set up an association."This is so that we as Namibians can appropriate our own place for ourselves, but also as a group we can coordinate and negotiate our case," he said.THE MATHSNeethling says a one-hectare citrus orchard with about 500 trees can offer an annual yield of between N$400 000 and N$1 million, while it costs about N$150 000 to establish it initially.He says a citrus tree takes about five years before it matures and produces fruit, while an orchard of one hectare also costs about N $100,000 per year.The cost can be covered by planting watermelons, melons and pumpkins between the young citrus tree rows while it is not yet in production.According to Neethling, if everyone plants citrus fruit, a point will finally be reached where the local market is saturated and then the focus must be on exports."If you plant, you have to plant the right kind of plant from the beginning and take care of it correctly," he said.There is a strong demand in markets for the Star Ruby grapefruit cultivar and the Valencia orange, while Namibians already have markets in the East and Middle East.He says a citrus orchard can remain productive for 50 years, while each hectare requires about 14 000 m³ of water per year.HISTORYNamibia currently produces only about 7% of the citrus it consumes itself, while 93% is mainly imported from South Africa.Orchards established in the Hochveld area as much as 120 years ago fell into disuse due to factors such as the First World War, the Great Depression, then the Second World War and the country&#039;s Independence Struggle, which created too much uncertainty.Namibia cultivated citrus about 120 years ago for export to Germany and for own use. He believes 32 years after Independence, however, the country enjoys enough political stability and peace.Neethling advises interested farmers to search on Youtube for CRI Citrus (Citrus Research International), where you can see everything about the care and planting of citrus, to how to prepare for the export market.

Namibia may see citrus boom

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-06-12

Please login to leave a comment

Namibia may see citrus boom

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-06-12

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content