Namibia reports record tomato exports to SA
251% jump from July 2021
On average, Namibia exported tomatoes worth N$9.4 million to South Africa per month, but the figure shot up to more than N$24 million in July.
Namibia's tomato exports to South Africa reached a record high in July, a recently released report by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) revealed.
Initially, the statistics body erred in reporting that Namibia had imported tomatoes worth more than N$24 million from South Africa.
Upon correction, it showed that Namibia had exported that much to South Africa.
The report stated that on average per month, Namibia exported tomatoes worth N$9.4 million to South Africa, but the figure shot up to more than N$24 million in July.
"When compared to the corresponding month last year (July 2021), the export value of tomatoes for the month of July 2022 increased by a notable 251.1%," the body said.
According to Trading Economics, an economics data tracker, South Africa imports fresh and chilled tomatoes from Namibia.
In 2020, that trade accounted for N$44 million, an average of N$3.66 million per month.
Protecting industries
Last week, Namibia and Botswana held their inaugural bi-national commission that centred on trade, regional integration and cooperation.
The two countries are interlinked in terms of trade.
In the report, NSA chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni said Botswana was Namibia's biggest export market while South Africa was the biggest exporter into the country.
But since the beginning of 2022, Namibia and Botswana have been on a drive to restrict agricultural imports from South Africa. They said they were protecting their local industries.
The restricted imports are tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, turmeric, chilli peppers, butternut, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions and ginger, as well as watermelons, sweet peppers, green mealies and fresh herbs.
Agri SA, an agricultural industry association, raised concerns that the decisions by Namibia and Botswana were a direct violation of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
SACU regulations state that Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa should have a free flow of products among themselves.
– News24
Initially, the statistics body erred in reporting that Namibia had imported tomatoes worth more than N$24 million from South Africa.
Upon correction, it showed that Namibia had exported that much to South Africa.
The report stated that on average per month, Namibia exported tomatoes worth N$9.4 million to South Africa, but the figure shot up to more than N$24 million in July.
"When compared to the corresponding month last year (July 2021), the export value of tomatoes for the month of July 2022 increased by a notable 251.1%," the body said.
According to Trading Economics, an economics data tracker, South Africa imports fresh and chilled tomatoes from Namibia.
In 2020, that trade accounted for N$44 million, an average of N$3.66 million per month.
Protecting industries
Last week, Namibia and Botswana held their inaugural bi-national commission that centred on trade, regional integration and cooperation.
The two countries are interlinked in terms of trade.
In the report, NSA chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni said Botswana was Namibia's biggest export market while South Africa was the biggest exporter into the country.
But since the beginning of 2022, Namibia and Botswana have been on a drive to restrict agricultural imports from South Africa. They said they were protecting their local industries.
The restricted imports are tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, turmeric, chilli peppers, butternut, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions and ginger, as well as watermelons, sweet peppers, green mealies and fresh herbs.
Agri SA, an agricultural industry association, raised concerns that the decisions by Namibia and Botswana were a direct violation of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
SACU regulations state that Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa should have a free flow of products among themselves.
– News24
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article