700 tonnes tomatoes destroyed, but Sonop may export again
Access to South Africa critical
The suspension caused millions in losses and left employees anxious about jobs and household stability.
Sonop Farms can once again send its fresh produce across the border after the Pretoria High Court ruled to reinstate the company’s suspended South African import permit.
The ruling brings relief to one of Namibia’s largest tomato producers, which had been forced to halt operations and destroy more than 700 tonnes of tomatoes during the suspension.
The company described the permit withdrawal as “incomprehensible and unfair”, noting it had triggered millions in losses and temporarily left many employees without work. While some reports suggested all Namibian exporters had been affected, Sonop Farms’s CEO Albert van der Merwe clarified in a media release published last week that they were the only farm targeted.
“Ironically, only Sonop Farms' permit was withdrawn," he said.
"Contrary to reports that all Namibian producers were affected, we emphasise that Sonop was the only farm whose permit was cancelled. Other Namibian producers continued to export without interruption,” he explained.
Livelihoods safeguarded after court ruling
Van der Merwe said the “ruling not only secures our ability to resume exports and limit further losses but, more importantly, it safeguards the livelihoods of our employees and restores stability for their households."
He added: "The relief felt across our farm today is immense, as the uncertainty of the past week has finally lifted."
He noted that beyond the numbers, “it was a deeply distressing time for our employees, many of whom were worried about their jobs and ability to provide for their families."
South African market remains essential
Although Sonop Farms is a major supplier to Namibian retailers, its large-scale operations mean that access to the South African market remains critical. “Our pre-season retail programmes require us to plant volumes that exceed local demand. South Africa remains an essential market for us,” van der Merwe explained.
Sonop Farms has committed to working with authorities to ensure that similar interruptions do not happen again.
Despite the financial damage, the farm expressed gratitude for the support it received. “We are profoundly grateful to our loyal employees, retail partners, industry colleagues, and legal team for their resilience,” van der Merwe said.
The ruling brings relief to one of Namibia’s largest tomato producers, which had been forced to halt operations and destroy more than 700 tonnes of tomatoes during the suspension.
The company described the permit withdrawal as “incomprehensible and unfair”, noting it had triggered millions in losses and temporarily left many employees without work. While some reports suggested all Namibian exporters had been affected, Sonop Farms’s CEO Albert van der Merwe clarified in a media release published last week that they were the only farm targeted.
“Ironically, only Sonop Farms' permit was withdrawn," he said.
"Contrary to reports that all Namibian producers were affected, we emphasise that Sonop was the only farm whose permit was cancelled. Other Namibian producers continued to export without interruption,” he explained.
Livelihoods safeguarded after court ruling
Van der Merwe said the “ruling not only secures our ability to resume exports and limit further losses but, more importantly, it safeguards the livelihoods of our employees and restores stability for their households."
He added: "The relief felt across our farm today is immense, as the uncertainty of the past week has finally lifted."
He noted that beyond the numbers, “it was a deeply distressing time for our employees, many of whom were worried about their jobs and ability to provide for their families."
South African market remains essential
Although Sonop Farms is a major supplier to Namibian retailers, its large-scale operations mean that access to the South African market remains critical. “Our pre-season retail programmes require us to plant volumes that exceed local demand. South Africa remains an essential market for us,” van der Merwe explained.
Sonop Farms has committed to working with authorities to ensure that similar interruptions do not happen again.
Despite the financial damage, the farm expressed gratitude for the support it received. “We are profoundly grateful to our loyal employees, retail partners, industry colleagues, and legal team for their resilience,” van der Merwe said.
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