N$1.6 billion in horticulture products exported

A total of 85 828 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables valued at N$1.6 billion were exported, mainly overseas and to South Africa, during the 2022-2023 financial year.This is compared to 5 036 tonnes exported during the 2021-2022 financial year, valued at more than N$1 billion.According to the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), there was a significant increase in exports of locally produced horticultural products of 45%, or 26 793 tonnes.Table grapes made up 57% of the exported products.More to be doneThe agronomic board said total demand for white maize grain facilitated through formal markets for the reporting period stood at 166 776 tonnes, of which 59% (97 881 tonnes) was locally produced and 41% (68 895 tonnes) was imported from South Africa."There is still more to be done by industry players to achieve local grain self-sufficiency, as it only stood at 41% during the reporting period and 59% of the grains were imported to satisfy the demand gap."In terms of wheat, 82% (110 527 tonnes) of the total demand was imported from overseas and South Africa, and 24 696 tonnes (18%) were locally produced, resulting in a total wheat grain demand of 135 224 tonnes.The total demand for pearl millet stood at 3 233 tonnes, of which 2 783 tonnes (86%) were produced locally and 450 tonnes (14%) were imported from India and Angola."Locally produced grains only make up 41% (125 361 tonnes) of the total demand, which means 59% (1179 872 tonnes) of the grains were imported, with wheat taking the biggest share of imports."Grain pricesThe average prices recorded during the 2022-23 financial year for white maize, wheat and pearl millet were all higher than the previous financial year, ranging from 30% to 40%, which was favourable to local farmers due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.This resulted in high food prices, particularly for products such as maize meal, wheat flour, pasta, instant porridge and pearl millet flour.On the other hand, production costs were also high due to the increase of more than 30% in the prices of key inputs such as fertilisers, agrochemicals and diesel.

N$1.6 billion in horticulture products exported

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

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N$1.6 billion in horticulture products exported

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

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