Taimi Haihambo

Omatelekelo – The Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) has embarked on a nationwide registration drive for street vendors selling fresh produce.

This follows growing complaints from small-scale farmers about Angolan traders flooding local markets and crippling homegrown production.

Farmers allege that their vegetables are left to rot as imported produce dominates informal markets. The NAB has acknowledged the concerns, though it admits the challenge is complex.

“These complaints are not new,” said Emilie Abraham, NAB’s manager for market development. “Those entering through gazetted border points are inspected, and only small quantities for personal use are permitted – like a bucket of tomatoes or oranges. Bulk consignments are turned back. The real problem comes from those using ungazetted routes to smuggle in produce, which is extremely difficult to control.”

Abraham stressed that effective protection for local farmers depends on formal registration. “If you are not registered, our hands are tied. Registering puts you in the system and allows us to intervene when unfair competition arises,” she said.

The vendor registration is currently underway in Windhoek and will extend to the north in coming months. Once complete, vendors operating without registration risk penalties. Abraham also urged farmers to attend NAB training seminars on crop production and market systems, which she said would strengthen their resilience against competition.

In the Omusati Region, frustration among farmers is mounting. Many say they spend heavily on fertilisers, irrigation, and labour, only to watch their tomatoes, onions, and carrots go unsold because Angolan vendors beat them to the markets with identical produce.

“This is killing us,” lamented tomato grower Itumba Absalom, who sells between Oshikuku and Otapi. “We invest so much, and when we reach the market, we find Angolans already there. We return home with full buckets, no profit, and everything goes bad.”

His concerns were echoed by fellow farmer Anton Joseph.

“You waste energy, money, and time, only to return with the same vegetables. They rot, and all your effort is wasted. We are tired of this,” he said.

The situation has left farmers questioning how Angolan traders manage to cross into Namibia so freely, and in such large numbers, with produce clearly meant for resale. Many believe government has abandoned them, saying their repeated warnings about collapsing markets have gone unanswered.

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