Table grapes generate N$850 million revenue
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The Namibian table grape industry employs more than 10 000 people and has generated more than N$850 million in revenue during the 2020/2021 season.
Over the years the Namibian table grapes industry has grown from strength to strength, establishing itself as the fastest-growing and most lucrative commodity within the horticulture sector, says the Namibian Agriculture Board (NAB).
It says the industry now plays a major role in job creation, currently employing more than 10 215 Namibians, of whom 11% are permanent workers and 89% temporary workers.
According to the NAB, during the 2020/2021 harvesting season the sector recorded the highest ever table grape production.
This saw farmers exporting 39 233 tonnes of table grapes, generating over N$858 million in revenue, representing an increase of 14% in volumes compared to the 2019 season.
NAB says that this translates into 8.7 million cartons of Namibian table grapes that were exported during the 2020 season.
Of this, 56% was exported to the European Union, 29% to the United Kingdom, 6% to the rest of Africa and 6% to Asia, while the remaining 4% was exported to the USA and Norway.
There are 13 registered grape producers in Namibia, farming on 2 217.46 hectares of land under irrigation.
They are mainly situated in the south of Namibia at Aussenkehr, Komsberg, Naute Dam and Noordoewer.
The main varieties produced in Namibia are white (48%), red (43%) and black (9%) seedless grapes.
Traditionally Namibia’s grape harvest runs from late October to mid-January.
However, with the introduction of new varieties producers are finding new ways of extending production harvest into the winter months.
WINDHOEK
The Namibian table grape industry employs more than 10 000 people and has generated more than N$850 million in revenue during the 2020/2021 season.
Over the years the Namibian table grapes industry has grown from strength to strength, establishing itself as the fastest-growing and most lucrative commodity within the horticulture sector, says the Namibian Agriculture Board (NAB).
It says the industry now plays a major role in job creation, currently employing more than 10 215 Namibians, of whom 11% are permanent workers and 89% temporary workers.
According to the NAB, during the 2020/2021 harvesting season the sector recorded the highest ever table grape production.
This saw farmers exporting 39 233 tonnes of table grapes, generating over N$858 million in revenue, representing an increase of 14% in volumes compared to the 2019 season.
NAB says that this translates into 8.7 million cartons of Namibian table grapes that were exported during the 2020 season.
Of this, 56% was exported to the European Union, 29% to the United Kingdom, 6% to the rest of Africa and 6% to Asia, while the remaining 4% was exported to the USA and Norway.
There are 13 registered grape producers in Namibia, farming on 2 217.46 hectares of land under irrigation.
They are mainly situated in the south of Namibia at Aussenkehr, Komsberg, Naute Dam and Noordoewer.
The main varieties produced in Namibia are white (48%), red (43%) and black (9%) seedless grapes.
Traditionally Namibia’s grape harvest runs from late October to mid-January.
However, with the introduction of new varieties producers are finding new ways of extending production harvest into the winter months.
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